Airports nationwide are seeing a huge increase in travelers as millions take to the skies, including here in the Triangle. With passenger numbers climbing, so are concerns about Transportation Security Administration delays and long security lines.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport has a peak in March because of spring break.

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In 2025, RDU had 1.3 million people go through its airport. That’s a 31% increase from the number of travelers it had the month before.

But now, travelers are bracing for long lines as airports nationwide report wait times that are hours long.

This comes as the Department of Homeland Security’s partial shutdown enters its sixth week, forcing TSA officers to work without pay. DHS officials say the partial shutdown is due to federal funding cuts.

Officials say it is the third shutdown in less than six months that has forced the officers who screen airport passengers and luggage to keep working without pay. 

RDU officials say that the airport has “been operating normally” and has “not experienced the checkpoint delays some other airports have seen.”

Though other major airports in cities like Houston, New Orleans and Atlanta had passengers waiting for more than an hour to get through security.  

To prepare for this busy season, TSA recommends a simple list of steps to prepare for your next trip:

  • Pack smart: Organize your carry-on bags and comply with TSA regulations.
    • Arrive early: Allow plenty of time to get through security, especially during peak hours.
      • Have a valid ID: Make sure you have your REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification, like a passport.
        • Pack your patience: Be ready for crowded airports and follow TSA guidelines to help speed up the process.

          You can also download the My TSA app ahead of time to see how long the wait is, and also have your airline's app to help easily rebook the next flight if yours gets canceled. 

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          Nicole Borman is a Senior at the University of Florida, getting a degree in Journalism. After graduating, she will be starting her first job as an MMJ at WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee. She was an intern at KARE 11 News in the summer of 2025, where she worked under Boyd Huppert. At UF, she’s an anchor, reporter and multimedia journalist for WUFT News and Noticias WUFT.