Summary
- TSA screened nearly 3 million passengers in a day recently and expects to set new records.
- The Independence Day holiday period is expected to be super busy.
- TSA’s travel tips for busy summer travel include packing smart, arriving early, and knowing guidelines for children.
The summer season looks to break many records as passengers increasingly take to the skies, leaving behind any lingering effects of the pandemic. One such milestone was reached recently when the TSA screened almost 3 million passengers, and it anticipates even more passengers around the Independence Day holiday in July.
2.99 million passengers screened in a day
If the current trends are anything to go by, US passenger air traffic could set several records in the coming months, particularly around the July Independence Day holiday. On June 23, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) set a new record when it screened 2.99 million passengers.
Photo: Arina P Habich l Shutterstock
The agency believes that Friday, June 28, will witness peak travel day and expects to screen more than 3 million travelers. Interestingly, seven of the top 10 busiest travel days ever have been recorded over the past month. TSA Administrator David Pekoske, commented,
“We expect this summer to be our busiest ever and summer travel usually peaks over the Independence Day holiday. Compared to last year, we have cut our attrition rates by almost half and increased our recruiting as a result of the TSA Compensation Plan that was funded in the budget passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden. The traveling public is on the move, which is a sign of a healthy economy. We are ready, along with our airline and airport partners, to handle this boost in passenger volumes.”
TSA has said that it has adequate staff to handle the influx of passengers to meet its wait time standards – 10 minutes and under in TSA PreCheck lanes and 30 minutes and under in standard screening lanes.
Travel tips
While standard protocols for screening passengers remain in place, TSA has a few tips for passengers looking to travel in the busy weeks and months ahead. These include:
Packing smart: Ensure no prohibited items are present during security screening, and place electronics larger than a cell phone and travel-size liquids at the top of your carry-on, so they are easily accessible for removal.
Photo: Joni Hanebutt | Shutterstock
Arriving at the airport on time: This includes factoring time to park and navigate to the terminal.
Reviewing guidelines for traveling with children: Proof of age documentation during check-in for children 12 and under traveling unaccompanied and two and under planning to sit on an adult passenger’s lap.
Other tips include double-checking luggage tags, properly packing and declaring firearms, and ensuring that your Known Traveler Number (KTN) is on your airline reservation (for TSA PreCheck passengers).
Global trend
The summer travel rush is not just restricted to the US. Many major airlines and airports are witnessing record numbers of travelers and are preparing for more to come. Dubai International Airport expects a record-breaking 91 million passengers in 2024, with Emirates also giving tips to passengers for a stress-free airport experience.
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Many Asia-Pacific airlines are now back in profit as strong travel demand, lower fuel costs, and increased operating revenues have led to a turnaround, and the coming months are expected to add to it as well.
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