by Donald Wood
Last updated: 1:45 PM ET, Tue November 19, 2024
The Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) announced it is projected to screen 18.3
million people during the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday travel, which would be the busiest
period in history.
TSA officials believe six percent more travelers this year will
make their way through American airports between Tuesday, November 26 and
Monday, December 2. Passenger volumes have reached record highs in 2024, with
an increase of 17 percent since 2022.
The government agency predicts the three busiest travel days
will be Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after the
holiday. The agency expects to screen more than 2.8 million people on Tuesday, 2.9
million on Wednesday, and more than three million on Sunday.
“This holiday season is expected to be one of the busiest
travel periods on record, and the vigilant people of the Transportation
Security Administration stand ready to ensure the security and ease of travel,”
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas said. “Many members of the
TSA workforce will be on duty throughout Thanksgiving Day and week and I am
immensely grateful for their selfless dedication and professionalism.”
The all-time, one-day record was achieved earlier this year
on July 7 when TSA security agents screened more than three million people at
airport checkpoints nationwide. The federal agency believes it could exceed
that record this Thanksgiving travel period.
“As we approach Thanksgiving, TSA is ready to accommodate
record passenger volumes,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said. “The 10
busiest travel days in TSA’s history have all occurred in 2024, and we
anticipate that trend to continue.”
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