A new report from the Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel warns that the United States' air travel infrastructure requires immediate updates to handle an unprecedented surge in travelers expected over the next several years.
The report projects that U.S. airports will face Thanksgiving-level travel conditions on 50 days in the coming year, increasing to 100 days in 2028. This surge coincides with several major international events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and America's 250th anniversary.
“America is staring at a historic opportunity — the question is whether we will seize the moment or fall maddeningly short,” said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “The next several years will bring unprecedented travel demand that our systems are not prepared to handle. Washington has a small window to fix major travel pain points and unlock a $100 billion economic opportunity — but it will require a level of urgency that has been missing in recent years.”
Washington has a small window to fix major travel pain points and unlock a $100 billion economic opportunity — but it will require a level of urgency that has been missing in recent years.
The Commission, which includes former officials from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Transportation Security Administration and the State Department, along with private sector experts from airport management and investment entities, outlined several key recommendations. Broadly, these include establishing White House leadership to navigate upcoming global events and fix ongoing travel system faults; delivering on President Trump’s promise to process visas efficiently and securely; updating our airport screening process to be more advanced and efficient; and creating modern airport borders that focus on safety and efficiency.
Specifically, the report mentions key steps including modernizing air traffic control technology; addressing controller shortages; and implementing new security screening procedures that would allow travelers to keep shoes and belts on, and leave liquids and laptops in their bags.
The report calls for establishing a White House-led task force to coordinate preparations across federal agencies. Additional recommendations include strengthening consular staffing for visa processing, extending certain visa validities and creating a National Vetting Service to process visitor visas within 30 days.
At airports, the commission advocates for increased Customs and Border Protection staffing and the implementation of biometric systems to reduce wait times for returning U.S. citizens.
“The commission’s recommendations were informed by experts across government and the private sector and build on the agencies’ hard work and investment in national security,” said Kevin McAleenan, former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security and chair of the commission. “With the recommendations to increase security and enhance facilitation with smart technology investments, process improvements and government and private sector collaboration, we have an incredible opportunity to enhance our travel system and welcome additional visitors."
Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by the U.S. Travel Association. It has been fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
