Miami airport to close terminal early due to government shutdown

MIAMI, FLORIDA — If you've got a flight that takes you through the Miami International Airport this weekend, one of their terminals will be closing early because of a shortage in TSA screeners amid the government shutdown.

Airport spokesman Mike Chin tells The Miami Herald that there may not be enough agents showing up to work as the government shutdown enters its third week. Starting Saturday through Monday, Concourse G will close at 1 p.m. each afternoon. The closure will affect about 12 flights which will be shifted to other terminals. Restaurants and shops that depend on business from departing flights will also close early.

Chin says the airport workers in Miami have been calling in sick at twice the national average. More than 50,000 TSA officers are among the 800,000 federal employees not being paid during the government shutdown.