What are the wait times for TSA at Kentucky airports? Is ICE staffing security?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Lexington and Louisville report normal TSA checkpoints and typical wait times.
- Travelers advised to arrive 90–120 minutes early; up to two hours before 8:30 a.m.
- Airports say ICE agents are not expected to staff TSA checkpoints at this time.
As many airports across the country report long lines to clear security, officials with Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport and Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport said Monday they are not experiencing delays or extended wait times.
“Blue Grass Airport has not yet been operationally impacted by the government shutdown,” Lauren Simmerman, a spokesperson for the facility, said Monday. “We are extremely grateful for our TSA agents. They have continued to show up and work during this time. Therefore, our wait times at checkpoint were typical over the weekend.”
Those traveling out of the Fayette County airport should arrive at least 90 minutes prior to their flight, which is typical, Simmerman said.
Natalie Chaudoin, a spokesperson for the Louisville airport, said the facility, which serves parts of Kentucky and Southern Indiana, has not had problems staffing Transportation Security Administration checkpoints.
“TSA staffing at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) remains consistent currently and normal screening operations continue,” Chaudoin said Monday morning. “While heavier than normal crowds are expected in the coming weeks due to spring break travel, passengers are encouraged to arrive 1½ to 2 hours before their scheduled departure to allow time to check-in, go through the security checkpoint and be at their gate prior to the start of boarding.”
For travelers departing before 8:30 a.m., it’s strongly recommended to arrive two hours before scheduled departure, Chaudoin added.
Calls and emails to Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport, or CVG, were not immediately returned. A Cincinnati Enquirer report said no ICE agents were spotted Monday morning at the busy airport in Northern Kentucky.
Air travelers across the country are experiencing wait times of several hours to clear TSA check points due to a partial government shutdown that has left the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees TSA, unfunded. The department, which also oversees U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement, the U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has gone without funding since mid-February.
That means TSA agents have not been paid for more than a month, and many have called in sick or quit. The partial shutdown comes as Democrats and Republicans in Congress disagree on changes to ICE, which has drawn fire particularly from Democrats over heavy-handed enforcement that resulted in the death of two citizens in January in Minneapolis, Minn.
Will ICE staff TSA checkpoints in Louisville, Lexington?
President Donald Trump warned on social media over the weekend he would send ICE agents to area airports to help staff TSA security of Congress cannot come to an agreement.
The move was blasted by union officials representing TSA agents.
Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said, “More than 50,000 TSA employees have worked without pay for over five weeks. Hundreds have quit. And Washington’s answer isn’t to pay them. It’s to send ICE agents to do their jobs.”
Simmerman said ICE agents are not expected at Lexington’s airport.
“Blue Grass Airport is currently not included in that assistance. Things may change in the future, but for now we have TSA operating our checkpoints. It is my understanding the ICE assistance will be taking place at airports that have been experiencing a large volume of TSA absences,” Simmerman said.
Chaudoin said Louisville airport is also not expecting ICE agents to replace missing TSA employees.
“At this time, staff have not received any information about ICE agents at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF),” she said.
According to a list reported by CNN, ICE agents will be deployed to 13 U.S. airports, none of which are in the Bluegrass State.
This is the second time in six months TSA and other government employees have gone without a paycheck. The federal government shut down beginning in October for 43 days. At the time, the Federal Aviation Administration cut flights at many airports across the country hoping to ease strain on TSA, air traffic control and other federal employees.
This story was originally published March 23, 2026 at 9:35 AM.
