05/27/2021

U.S. Preparing for Summer Travel Demand

As COVID vaccinations tick up so do summer travel plans

With Memorial Day weekend ahead, officials with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) held a press conference this week with travel industry executives to discuss preparations and expectations for the summer travel season.

With COVID-19 vaccinations on the rise and a pent-up demand for travel, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Transportation Security Administration Acting Administrator Darby LaJoye outlined key changes implemented at airports across the country to ensure the safety and security of travelers. Changes to airport screening checkpoints include the use of new screening technology that allows passengers to scan their own ID and TSA officers to review a 3D image of passenger bags without needing to search the bag’s contents. Passengers also don’t need to remove their electronics or personal hygiene bags prior to screening. Some processes remain the same, like removing one’s shoes before screening.

“As we head into a summer where we hope to see a tremendous reemergence of domestic travel and the economic prosperity that travel brings, I’d like to highlight the incredible work of the men and women of TSA, who have been working on the front lines throughout the challenging pandemic,” Mayorkas said. “I also want to commend our industry partners with whom we have a tremendous working relationship. We are all in this together to make sure that the American public can travel across the country safely and securely.”

Travel industry partners on hand at the press conference included U.S. Travel Association CEO Roger Dow and Nicholas Calio, president and CEO of Airlines for America.

“Almost three times as many Americans plan to travel this summer than in 2020, and more than half of those will be taking their very first trip since the pandemic,” Dow said. “It’s terrific that Americans can safely travel again, thanks to the remarkable scientific developments that now protect the public, coupled with the practices of America’s travel industry to ensure the health and safety of travelers and the travel workforce.”

This article was provided to OSAE by ASAE's Power of A and Inroads.