TSA Pushes Airports To Opt In To Privatized Security Screening

Aviation Week
Aaron Karp
27 May 2026

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is encouraging U.S. airports to opt in to privatized airport security as part of a new “TSA Gold Plus” initiative the agency said will enable efficient, high-tech checkpoints unencumbered by “lengthy federal budget cycles.”

Following the Feb. 14-April 30 US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) partial shutdown that led to hours-long lines at checkpoints—as high percentages of unpaid TSA screeners refused to report to work—the Trump administration is aggressively pursuing a model in which private firms under contract with the federal government would manage checkpoints at an increasing number of airports. TSA would continue to provide “robust” regulatory oversight of airport security, the agency said...

TSA Pushes Airports To Opt In To Privatized Security Screening | Aviation Week | 27 May 2026