Thousands of flights canceled as storms sweep across US | The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleRio Yamat & Margery A. BeckTuesday 17 March 2026 01:50 GMTSpring break travelers prepare for delays at the airportOver 12,500 U.S. flights were canceled or delayed on Monday due to powerful storms sweeping across the eastern half of the country.More than 4,000 flights were canceled by 4 p.m. ET, leaving travelers stranded and forcing some to sleep on airport floors.The widespread travel disruptions were exacerbated by an ongoing partial government shutdown, which has left Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners missing their first full paycheck over the weekend.Staffing shortages at TSA checkpoints, caused by unpaid workers taking second jobs or leaving, led to longer security lines at airports already crowded with spring break and March Madness travelers.Airline CEOs issued an open letter to Congress, urging a resolution to the shutdown to ensure federal aviation workers receive pay and to prevent further travel chaos.In fullMore than 12,500 flights canceled or delayed as storms and TSA issues snarl air travelThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in