India, March 24 -- US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that airport delays across the country could escalate as the government shutdown continues to strain security operations.

Speaking to ABC News, Duffy cautioned that staffing shortages within the Transportation Security Administration may intensify in the coming days. "I think you're going to see more TSA agents. quit, or they're not going to show up," he said, adding, "I do think it's going to get much worse."

The warning comes as passengers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, widely considered the world's busiest airport, face security wait times of up to four to five hours, according to The Mirror US.

Images from the airport showed crowds spilling a...