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Geopolitical tremors are shaking global markets again. As U.S.-Iran strains push oil prices higher, travel demand is turning cautious, and airline stocks are slipping. But this time, it is not just fuel costs rattling the sector, but growing ground-level disruptions are adding a new layer of uncertainty.
On Feb. 14, a partial government shutdown began as it left thousands of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents unpaid, triggering rising absenteeism and operational strain. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that prolonged staff shortages could lead to airport disruptions, even closures in smaller hubs. Acting TSA head Adam Stahl echoed the concern, suggesting the system is already stretched thin. The implications are longer security lines, potential travel chaos, and a dent in peak seasonal demand. Naturally, investors are uneasy, with airline stocks facing renewed pressure.
