HTZ Stock Soars After TSA Delays At Airports Reportedly Result In Spike In Car Rental Searches

• The report added that 33% of Hertz’s customers are currently renting cars for road trips and driving vacations in a bid to work around TSA delays.
• Hertz is capitalizing on this by offering recommendations to travelers and prepaying at pickup points to lock in pricing for its customers, according to the report.
• The car rental company is also allowing customers to book cars at neighborhood locations to help them avoid disruptions at airports.

Hertz Global Holdings Inc. (HTZ) shares soared more than 16% in Thursday morning’s trade after a report stated that the company benefited from Transport Security Administration (TSA) delays at airports in the U.S.

According to a TravelPulse report, Hertz data showed a 15% increase in website search traffic, suggesting travelers are seeking alternative modes of transport or backup plans in case of delays.

A Third Of Hertz Customers Renting Cars For Trips

The report added that 33% of Hertz’s customers are currently renting cars for road trips and driving vacations to work around TSA delays.

Hertz is capitalizing on this by offering recommendations to travelers and prepaying at pickup points to lock in pricing for its customers, according to the report.

The car rental company is also allowing customers to book cars at neighborhood locations to help them avoid disruptions at airports.

How Did Retail Traders React?

Retail sentiment on Stocktwits around Hertz trended in the ‘bullish’ territory at the time of writing.

One bullish user cited travel for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, TSA delays, and better fleet management as reasons for their optimism on the stock.

Another user stated that the car rental business should be on fire with the spring break ahead.

Why Are There TSA Delays At Airports?

The ongoing partial government shutdown has resulted in a funding lapse for the Department of Homeland Security on February 13, after Congress failed to pass an annual budget for the agency.

As a result, the DHS shutdown has now entered its 41st day, and the TSA, which comes under the DHS, has experienced worker absences. According to a USA Today report, TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill stated during a Wednesday hearing that air travelers in the U.S. are experiencing the longest wait times in the agency’s history.

McNeill also stated that the TSA has lost more than 480 officers during this shutdown so far.

“Multiple airports are experiencing days where 40-50 percent of their staff are calling off because they simply cannot afford to report to work. This has led to the highest wait times in TSA history, with some wait times greater than 4.5 hours,” McNeill said, according to the report.

HTZ stock is down 3% year-to-date, but up 45% over the past 12 months. The iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) is up 19% over the past 12 months, while the Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund ETF (VBK) is up 16%.

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