Two airports set passenger TSA records

LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport both set records Thursday for the number of passengers screened at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints.

At LaGuardia, 59,698 people passed through the checkpoints and onto their departing gates. Newark saw 78,811 travelers.

The high volume of passengers was attributed to the Passover and Easter holidays. Both airports were prepared for an influx of travelers.

“We expect the remainder of this spring and into summer to continue seeing a high volume of passengers, and with that in mind, my advice to travelers is to get to the airport two hours before their flight and listen to the guidance that the TSA officers are providing at the checkpoints,” Robert Duffy, TSA’s federal security director for LaGuardia Airport, said. “The officers know the procedures and their instruction will keep the flow of passengers operating smoothly.”

At Newark, one-third of passengers were screened between 4 and 9 a.m., and the average checkpoint wait time was 27 minutes.

TSA officials recommend travelers do not carry any prohibited items in their carry-on bags. This will slow down the security screening process.

The list of prohibited items can be found on the TSA website, but TSA officers have the final say on whether an item is allowed.