The U.S. Travel Association is calling on Congress to reinvest traveler fees into modernizing airport security, arguing that a “golden age of air travel” is within reach following the federal government’s latest move to ease screening burdens.
The association praised the Trump administration and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for announcing the end of the Transportation Security Administration’s long-standing “shoes-off” rule earlier this year, a step that signals broader modernization efforts at airport checkpoints. U.S. Travel said the next goal should be lifting restrictions on liquids in carry-on bags through the nationwide deployment of next-generation computed tomography (CT) scanners.
“This single change would do more than remove a common source of traveler frustration. It would mark a turning point—a shift toward smarter, faster and more secure air travel powered by technology that already exists,” the organization said in a statement.
According to a U.S. Travel report, artificial intelligence–enabled CT scanners can automatically clear safe bags while flagging potential threats, potentially doubling checkpoint throughput. TSA has piloted the technology with positive results, but progress toward full deployment has been slowed by funding shortfalls.
The group criticized Congress for diverting more than 80 percent of the Passenger Security Fee, intended to fund aviation security, to unrelated federal expenditures. Redirecting $1 billion per year from that fee could outfit every airport lane in the country with CT scanners within five years, the association said.
U.S. Travel also backed the bipartisan Spending Aviation Fees for Equipment, Guaranteeing Upgraded and Advanced Risk Detection and Safety Act, introduced by Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), which would ensure aviation fees are used for their intended purpose.
Noem has expressed support for easing liquid limits in TSA PreCheck lanes as an interim measure before full CT deployment.
“These improvements not only showcase technological innovation and promise a better travel experience, but they are also essential for the U.S. to successfully host massive upcoming events, including America’s 250th birthday and the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” the statement said.
“Travel is essential to America’s economic strength. We have leadership in the White House committed to modernizing travel, which is critical to maintaining global competitiveness,” U.S. Travel concluded. “Now Congress must provide the resources needed to deliver a modern air travel system that supports jobs, drives economic growth and improves our trade balance.”
For more information, visit www.ustravel.org.
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