The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced an increase in the number of passengers screened during the weekend of the 4th of July holiday. Between July 1 and July 5, 2024, TSA agents screened 12.5 million passengers at airport checkpoints across the United States, compared to 11.6 million during the same period in 2023. With statistics still pending for July 6 through July 8, the TSA expects that July 7 could prove to be the busiest air travel day ever in the history of the US.

The week around the 4th of July holiday is notoriously one of the busiest and most profitable for airlines in the United States. Following this year’s holiday, the TSA reported record-breaking checkpoint numbers at airports nationwide, highlighting the strong demand for air travel.

TSA data for the period from July 1 to July 5, 2024, reveals a significant increase in the number of passengers compared to the previous year. The 12.5 million screenings in 2024 mark a notable increase from the 11.6 million recorded in 2023. However, despite this overall increase, July 4, 2023, saw higher activity levels with 2.5 million passengers, compared to 2.2 million on July 4, 2024.

Due to the extended weekend, higher travel activity is expected between July 6 and July 7, 2024. While official data for these days has yet to be released, TSA officials are preparing for what could be a record-breaking travel day on July 7.

In response to the high demand, the TSA has ensured that airport teams are fully staffed and have been preparing for this busy season for several months. Travelers have been assured that wait times will be minimal, with TSA PreCheck lanes averaging less than 10 minutes and regular TSA lanes under 30 minutes.

This extraordinary level of activity underscores the enduring popularity of air travel during major holidays in the US and highlights the TSA's continued efforts to maintain efficiency and security amid the growing number of passengers.