Airports

TSA considers eliminating passenger security at smaller airports

Source: BBC.co.uk

According to an exclusive report by CNN the Transportation Security Administration in the US is considering eliminating passenger security screening in a number of smaller airports in the country.

The TSA, a federal government body established post-9/11, is dedicated to maintaining safe air travel in the US. It is reportedly considering the proposal in order to save millions of dollars a year.

CNN informed that it had received internal documents and quotes from senior agency officials of the planned removals of security at 150 small and medium-sized airports in the nation.

The proposal anticipates to save $115 a year and the funds will be redirected to buttress security at larger, busier airports in the US.

A terrorism analyst for CNN, Paul Cruickshank stated that it is “stunning that this is seriously even being considered,” adding that “Al Qaeda and ISIS still regard aviation as a priority target – that includes aircraft where you have fewer than 60 people on board”.

The report stated that a top official in the TSA told CNN the proposal is “so dangerous”.

The proposal to eliminate passenger security screening would see up to 10,000 passengers affected – around 0.5% of total passengers flying out of US airports on a single day.

A spokesperson for the TSA, Michael Bilello explained to TSA that this is a recurring consideration as the regulations that established the TSA “does not require screening below a certain level”.

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