The Transportation Security Administration screened 2.99 million passengers on June 23 — the single busiest day in the agency’s history — and officials say this summer’s travel demand is still running well above normal as July winds down.
The surge is being driven by a rare convergence of events: the FIFA World Cup, which brought matches to multiple U.S. host cities starting in June, nationwide America 250 anniversary celebrations, and the ordinary peak of summer vacation season all landing in the same stretch of months. TSA had forecast screening roughly 18.7 million travelers over the Fourth of July period alone, and industry groups expect well over 170 million people to fly during the broader spring-and-summer window.
To keep checkpoints moving, TSA has leaned on both staffing and technology. The agency has increased hiring of screening officers and expanded its use of computed tomography (CT) scanners, which let travelers leave laptops and liquids inside their bags and speed up the line. Airports are also rolling out upgraded Credential Authentication Technology units that verify ID and boarding passes automatically, along with more automated screening lanes.
July is historically the busiest month of the year for U.S. air travel, and this year is on pace to exceed it. If you’re flying before the summer season winds down, the practical advice hasn’t changed: get to the airport earlier than you think you need to, and consider TSA PreCheck if you don’t already have it.
Sources: Travel And Tour World, Deep Arrival
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