As airline passengers prepare to take to the skies this Independence Day holiday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is gearing up for high passenger volumes.
TSA expects to screen over 32 million individuals from Thursday, June 27 through Monday, July 8. This marks a 5.4% increase over the 2023 Independence Day holiday travel volumes.
On Sunday, June 23, TSA broke its record for the most people screened in a single day, nearly reaching 3 million (2.99 million) individuals. This summer’s record-breaking travel volumes highlight the TSA and the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) critical role in securing the nation’s transportation systems. Ensuring freedom of movement for people and commerce is vital to the country’s economic well-being.
The peak travel day is anticipated to be Friday, June 28, with more than 3 million individuals expected to be screened. TSA is prepared to meet its wait time standards: under 10 minutes in TSA PreCheck lanes and under 30 minutes in standard screening lanes. Seven of the top 10 busiest travel days have occurred in the past month.
“We expect this summer to be our busiest ever, especially over the Independence Day holiday,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske.
“Compared to last year, we have cut our attrition rates by almost half and increased our recruiting. 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.”
Airline passengers should be aware that security screening technologies may vary by airport. While TSA follows strict standardized screening protocols, it is important for passengers to arrive early and follow the guidance provided by Transportation Security Officers (TSOs).
