The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported a milestone on Friday, screening a record 2.95 million airline passengers in a single day, coinciding with the Memorial Day weekend, which traditionally kicks off the summer travel season in the United States.
Last week, a major U.S. airlines group predicted a surge in summer travel, estimating that airlines would transport 271 million passengers, marking a 6.3% increase from the previous year. This surge in air travel is evident in TSA data, with Friday’s screening numbers surpassing the previous record set in November by nearly 2.91 million passengers. Notably, five of the busiest travel days ever recorded occurred since May 16.
Airlines for America revealed plans for U.S. carriers to operate over 26,000 daily flights this summer, reflecting a 5.6% increase from 2023. American Airlines anticipates a 10% rise in flights, projecting nearly 3.9 million passengers on 36,000 flights during the Memorial Day travel period from May 23 to May 28.
United Airlines forecasts handling 3 million travelers during the same period, a nearly 10% increase from previous years. Delta Air Lines expects a 5% uptick in Memorial Day weekend customers, reaching nearly 3 million customers between May 23-27.
However, the Federal Aviation Administration is contending with an ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers, prompting concerns about congestion at airports. To address staffing issues, the FAA extended cuts to minimum flight requirements at New York City-area airports through October. Major airlines have requested an extension of these cuts through October 2025, as failing to utilize takeoff and landing slots at congested airports can lead to their loss.