July 4 holiday travel expected to break records, according to TSA

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Transportation Security Administration screened a record number of travelers on Sunday — but it’s a record that isn’t expected to last long. The agency predicts a new record will be set this Friday.

Air travel across the 11-day July 4 holiday period is also expected to set a new record, according to the TSA, with 32 million passengers projected to travel from airports within the U.S. between June 27 and July 8, up 5% over the same period a year ago.

This Friday is expected to be the busiest day – with more than 3 million air travelers nationwide. That would break the TSA’s record for passenger screenings, set on Sunday, June 23, when more than 2.99 million travelers flew from U.S. airports.

Cleveland Hopkins is expected to be very busy, as well. The airport is forecasting an 11% increase in passengers over the July 4 holiday travel period compared to a year ago.

TSA held a press event Wednesday at the airport to underscore the importance of arriving early, offer tips for travelers and show off some new equipment that is designed to make the screening process more efficient.

TSA officials demonstrated the agency’s second-generation Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) scanners, installed at Hopkins last year, which use facial recognition technology to ensure the person standing at the checkpoint is the same person on the ID.

“It’s using biometrics to match facial features,” said Cleveland TSA agent Devon Post. “It helps us to identify if that is the passenger in front of us. It does a better job than our naked eye.”

TSA spokeswoman Jessica Mayle noted that photos are not stored, and passengers have the right to decline the technology.

The primary function of the machines is to improve security, although they should speed up the screening process a bit, as well, she said.

TSA lines in Cleveland have gotten longer in recent months, as passenger numbers increase.

The airport is forecasting more than 10 million passengers in 2024, the most since 2008.

To accommodate the increase in passengers, TSA recently extended screening hours in Cleveland; screening lanes now open at 3 a.m., Mayle said.

In an interview last week, airport director Bryant Francis said the airport is talking with TSA about possibly adding more screening lanes, although that likely won’t happen until next year.

In the meantime, passengers are encouraged to get to the airport two hours before their flights.

For more TSA travel tips: tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips/travel-checklist

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