The U.S. Travel Association this week called on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to postpone the requirement for air travelers to have REAL ID beyond the current fall 2021 deadline.
“With the U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimating that little more than a third of Americans have REAL IDs, full compliance is not realistically within reach in time for the October 1, 2021 deadline,” the association said in a release. “In order to avoid disruption to air travel at a time when travel will be vital for powering a national economic and jobs recovery, the federal government should again push back the REAL ID enforcement deadline.
The travel group said the postponement should last until further measures are in place to prevent a scenario in which flyers are turned away at airport security checkpoints.
“These should include: TSA Precheck enrollment as an acceptable alternative for REAL ID; the development of procedures to process passengers who don’t have a REAL ID; and allowing states to use modern identity verification options not available when REAL ID was first enacted in 2005,” it added.
The U.S. Travel Association indicated it is ready to work with Congress and the executive branch to ensure the safety and security of air travel and help REAL ID be achieved on a workable timetable.
