TSA screens more than 2 million travelers, most since start of pandemic

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened more than 2 million people on Friday, making it the highest number screened in one day since the start of the pandemic last year.

There were 2,028,961 people who went through airport security Friday, 1.5 million more than on the same day last year, the TSA said in a press release.

“The growing number of travelers demonstrates this country’s resilience and the high level of confidence in COVID-19 counter measures, to include ready access to vaccines,” said acting TSA head Darby LaJoye.

“TSA stands ready to provide a safe and secure screening process as part of the overall travel experience” LaJoye added.

The latest figure indicates that the airline industry is inching back to normal following the pandemic. The TSA said it typically screened between 2 million and 2.5 million passengers daily before the pandemic.

The TSA saw almost 2 million passengers on Memorial Day and expects numbers to increase throughout the summer. 

Although the increase in travel is good for the industry, which was hit hard by the pandemic, staffing shortages have been reported in airports across the country, after many employees were laid off last year.

LaJoye is asking TSA office employees to volunteer to help out at the security checkpoints when needed.

“With this increase in volume, TSA must maintain operational readiness and ensure that the screening workforce is available to perform screening functions,” LaJoye said.