The United States is on the brink of a historic travel surge, but without immediate action, the country’s outdated air travel system will strain under the pressure, according to a new report released by the Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel, part of the U.S. Travel Association.
The report identifies urgent steps needed to ensure the country delivers a “golden age of travel” ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2025 Ryder Cup and America’s 250th anniversary.
The report notes that “the U.S. is preparing to welcome millions of visitors from around the world for a mega-decade of events, which could generate billions of dollars for Americans and businesses.” But, it warns, “America’s travel infrastructure is outdated, underfunded and inefficient, creating vulnerabilities in national security and economic opportunity.
Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, says now is the time to act. “Let me put it in perspective: on the busiest travel days, like Thanksgiving, TSA screens more than 3 million passengers,” Freeman said in a livestreamed press conference on Wednesday. “That happened five times in 2024. By next year, TSA will hit that number 50 times. By 2028, we’re looking at 100 days with 3 million passenger screenings.”
“We’re heading into an era of unprecedented demand,” Freeman continued. “The 2025 Ryder Cup, the 2026 World Cup, the 2028 Olympics, whatever tour Taylor Swift announces next. All of these will generate millions of additional travelers pushing our system even further.”
The report was developed by a commission of leaders with deep expertise in travel security and technology. For the past year, this group has conducted a deep dive in the state of travel security technology and processes both in the U.S. and around the world. The Commission’s report is a “bold, practical roadmap to tackle challenges and create a world-class travel system,” Freeman said.
Key initiatives outlined in the report are:
- Establishment of a White House task force to transform U.S. travel and prepare the country for a mega-decade of events.
- Implementation of a new, secure and streamlined visa process for visitors.
- Creation of the world’s most advanced and secure airport screening process.
- Building of a strong, modern and efficient airport customs process to keep America safe and global travel moving.
“The advancements we recommend are an opportunity for President Trump and Congress to enact the most significant improvements to air travel since TSA PreCheck, which revolutionized traveler security and screening,” Freeman said. “Each of our recommendations will enhance both security and speed, ensuring travelers move efficiently through our airports.”
Questioned whether the recent layoffs at the Federal Aviation Administration and the leadership vacancies in key roles would negatively impact the chances of enactment of these proposals, Freeman expressed confidence.
“We’re hopeful that what the president, what [Transportation] Secretary [Sean] Duffy are bringing to the table is a degree of disruption that this system needs because doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome isn’t going to get where we need to get to,” Freeman said.
When pushed about the cost of the proposed initiative amidst an environment of cost cutting, Freeman suggested there is willingness to invest appropriately.
“What we’re talking about is investments to improve security, investments to improve safety, investments to improve the travel experience,” he said. “That’s the polar opposite of waste, fraud and abuse, and we believe and have had conversations to lead us to believe that investments [in the suggested areas] are the types of investments that the administration is looking to make. The President has been outspoken about making this the gold standard of World Cups, the best Olympics that has ever been held. To do those things, to achieve those goals, you’ve got to make some of these investments.”
