FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2016
WASHINGTON, DC — Airports Council International – North America President (ACI-NA) and CEO Kevin M. Burke today welcomed an announcement by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh C. Johnson on efforts to reduce passenger screening wait times at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints in airports across the United States. Maintaining the safety and security of the traveling public is the top priority for airports. However, airports around the country are facing major challenges as they prepare for the busy summer travel season. Burke called on TSA to seek additional efficiencies to provide relief for air passengers.
“While Secretary Johnson’s announcement about efforts to reduce growing TSA wait times is a step in the right direction, passengers will continue to face long security lines this summer without additional staffing resources and significant gains in efficiency at the TSA checkpoint. The airport community has identified several opportunities to provide relief for frustrated passengers while still maintaining the highest level of security. We call on TSA to act on these industry recommendations as soon as possible.
“In addition to expanding efforts to encourage passenger enrollment in TSA Pre ✓®, TSA must ensure consistent and predictable operating hours of TSA Pre ✓® lanes to alleviate long lines. TSA should also deploy available resources in a more effective way, including reallocating existing staff to checkpoints, empowering local TSA officials to make staffing decisions, and initiating local hiring and training initiatives.
“Congress can do its part to reduce long security lines by providing TSA with adequate resources and modernizing the local Passenger Facility Charge user fee to fund needed infrastructure projects that will bolster security and improve passenger flows in aging airport terminals.
“ACI-NA and our member airports will continue working with TSA and our airline industry partners to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and provide relief for passengers while maintaining security.”
