Air travel has become challenging in recent weeks, and things are about to get much worse at a major airport.
Unfortunately, travelers who arrive at one of the country’s busiest international airports will arrive to find several TSA checkpoints closed.
The closure of these checkpoints may cause significant disruption and delays, not just at the affected terminals but throughout the airport, as travelers who are leaving out of the terminals with the shuttered checkpoints will now need to go through security in other parts of the airport.
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This international airport is closing TSA checkpoints
Philadelphia International Airport is the airport that is closing TSA checkpoints.
Specifically, according to a statement from Philadelphia International Airport, the following security checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport will no longer be operational:
- Terminal A-West
- Terminal F
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Terminal A-West is the primary terminal for international flights, although some domestic flights also leave out of Terminal A.
Terminal F is used by American Airlines for regional and commuter flights. There are 38 gates in Terminal F, while Gates A14 to A26 are found in Terminal A.
Airlines affected by Philadelphia Airport shutdown of TSA checkpoints
Airlines with gates that depart from Philadelphia International Airport’s Terminal A West include:
- British Airways
- Lufthansa
- Discover Airlines
Airlines with gates that depart from Terminal F include:
- American Eagle
Terminal A West also offers a British Airways Galleries Lounge and the American Express Centurion Lounge, while Terminal F has an American Airlines Admirals Club lounge.
What to do if your TSA checkpoint is shut down
Flying out of Philadelphia International Airport? You still have to go through security if your TSA checkpoint has been shut down. You will simply need to visit a different terminal to get through security.
According to the airport’s statement regarding the closure, “staff will be on hand to direct passengers to open checkpoints.”
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The statement also made clear that passengers who are flying out of different terminals will still be able to get to their gate without problems.
“PHL reminds passengers that they can access all terminals by using any checkpoint. Terminal C is TSA PreCheck only. The American Airlines shuttle provides service between Terminals A-West, A-East, B, C, and F. Stops are located between Terminals A-East and B, between Terminals C and D and F.”
When is Philadelphia Airport shutting TSA security checkpoints?
The shutdown of TSA security checkpoints will begin on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. The Philadelphia Airport statement about the shutdown referred to the closures as “temporary.”
However, there is no indication of a date when the checkpoints will reopen. WHYY, a regional news website, said “The airport did not provide a reopening date.”
Why is Philadelphia International Airport shutting down security checkpoints?
Philadelphia International Airport is shutting down security checkpoints because of a shortage of qualified staff amid an ongoing government shutdown. The decision was jointly made between the airport and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
During the government shutdown, both TSA workers and air traffic controllers have been expected to work without receiving a paycheck.
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This has led to staffing shortages, which has made it necessary to shutter the TSA security checkpoints at these specific terminals.
The goal is to optimize checkpoints at the other areas of Philadelphia International Airport.
Follow these tips to avoid missing your flight
Philadelphia International Airport has advised passengers to come to the airport at least two hours early for domestic flights and at least three hours early for international flights. Following this advice will be more important than ever during the government shutdown and the security checkpoint closures.
You can also check the Philadelphia Airport website to confirm the operating hours of all TSA checkpoints before going to the airport, so you are not met with surprises.
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