Key facts
- Three airports are planning to transition away from TSA security, opting into a new model.
- The Abolish the TSA Act of 2025 proposes dissolving the TSA by 2028 and transferring airport screening to private companies under FAA oversight.
- The TSA is exploring new security models, including those utilizing advanced technology and private sector involvement.
- The White House's proposed budget for 2026 includes cuts to the TSA workforce and increased reliance on private companies.
- Union officials have raised concerns about potential public safety risks associated with privatization.
Three airports are planning to transition away from Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security screening, opting into a new model that could lead to the privatization of these services. This development aligns with broader legislative efforts and agency signals indicating a potential shift in how airport security is managed in the United States.
Lawmakers, including Senators Mike Lee and Tommy Tuberville, have introduced the Abolish the TSA Act of 2025. This bill proposes dissolving the TSA by 2028 and transferring airport screening duties to private companies, overseen by a new Office of Aviation Security Oversight within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The legislation also aims to ban warrantless searches by private contractors and move non-airport TSA duties to the Department of Transportation.
The TSA itself is signaling a willingness to explore privatization. The agency issued a Request for Information (RFI) on July 25, 2025, soliciting proposals from private companies for innovative airport checkpoint solutions, including those leveraging AI and automation. TSA Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill has stated that "nothing is off the table" regarding privatization, emphasizing the importance of giving airports choices.
These potential changes are occurring alongside proposed budget cuts for the TSA. The White House's 2026 budget proposal includes a $247 million reduction, potentially leading to a 3–4% workforce decrease, primarily in exit lane positions. The TSA's fiscal 2027 budget justification further details plans to cut approximately 8,400 positions, with a significant portion of the redirected funds allocated to the Screening Partnership Program (SPP), which contracts private companies for screening operations.
Currently, 20 U.S. airports utilize private contractors under the SPP, while the majority of airports remain federalized. The proposed expansion of SPP would require smaller airports (Category III and IV) to enroll in the program, aiming to improve operational flexibility and utilize private sector efficiencies under federal oversight. This push for privatization is also linked to conservative initiatives like Project 2025, which advocates for privatizing and deunionizing the TSA. Union officials, however, have voiced concerns that these changes could jeopardize public safety and workers' rights.