FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2018
WASHINGTON — Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), the trade association representing airports in the United States and Canada, today commended the efforts of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to minimize checkpoint wait times at airports across the United States over the Memorial Day weekend.
“ACI-NA and airports applaud the efforts of TSA to minimize passenger wait times at screening checkpoints over the Memorial Day weekend,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “Proactive industry coordination and collaboration is essential to ensure efficiency during peak travel times.”
The TSA Airport Operations Center, which is led by our industry engagement partners at TSA, holds daily – including weekends and holidays – coordination calls with airports. The Airport Operations Center has been instrumental in helping to ensure the agency is able to more readily identify potential operational issues so they can be addressed prior to becoming larger problems that negatively impact passengers.
“With the projections for increased growth in air travel and a record-breaking summer, it is imperative to continue to build upon the success of the Airport Operations Center in order to minimize wait times,” Burke said. “Airports encourage TSA to compile and distribute best practices and lessons learned to its field personnel.”
Maintaining the safety and security of the traveling public is the top priority for airports. However, both TSA and airports around the country face major challenges as they prepare for the busy summer travel season. ACI-NA calls on Congress to provide airports and TSA additional resources to increase efficiency and maintain security for passengers.
“Congress must stop diverting a portion of the 9/11 passenger security fee to pay for other government programs and provide TSA funding for the number of Transportation Security Officers, canines and the technology necessary to ensure the efficient and effective screening of passengers and their baggage,” Burke said. “Congress should also modernize the local Passenger Facility Charge user fee so it can be used to fund needed infrastructure projects at airports that will bolster security and improve passenger flows in aging airport terminals.”
Airports also urge TSA to immediately launch a coordinated government and industry campaign to market the benefits of TSA Pre✓® at the national and local levels, and to provide consistent and predictable TSA Pre✓® operating hours, particularly at small airports. TSA should also launch a mobile enrollment platform to allow travelers the ability to enroll in TSA Pre✓® upon arrival at the airport.
“ACI-NA and our member airports will continue to partner with TSA and the airlines to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and provide relief for passengers while maintaining security,” Burke said.
