TSA preparing for increased passenger volume during summer travel season

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials said the agency is continuing to prepare for increased travel volumes in advance of the Memorial Day holiday weekend and summer months.

“As we head into a summer where we hope to see a tremendous reemergence of domestic travel and the economic prosperity that travel brings, I’d like to highlight the incredible work of the men and women of TSA, who have been working on the front lines throughout the challenging pandemic,” Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said. “I also want to commend our industry partners with whom we have a tremendous working relationship. We are all in this together to make sure that the American public can travel across the country safely and securely.”

Mayorkas recently joined aviation personnel in outlining changes implemented at airports across the country as a means of ensuring traveler safety and security, highlighting DHS partnerships with industry stakeholders.

“As passenger volumes continue to rise, TSA is ready for their return to airports across the country, equipped with enhanced airport security checkpoints, over 46,000 highly-trained security professionals, and valuable partnerships with stakeholders and industry, all to ensure a secure and seamless travel experience,” Darby LaJoye, senior official Performing the Duties of the TSA Administrator, said. “For those passengers returning to travel for the first time since 2019, be aware that some processes at the checkpoint have changed, and some, like removing your shoes, remain in place. Additionally, during high volume months, travelers should plan to arrive early at the airport to complete the airport screening process and arrive timely at their departure gate.”

Screening checkpoint changes include deploying two new technologies – Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) and Computed Tomography (CT).