TSA says airport screenings Sunday hit highest level since pandemic started

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened more than 2 million travelers at airports on Sunday, the highest number since health officials declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2020.

The TSA said it screened 2,097,433 travelers on Sunday, up from the 544,046 passengers screened on the same day last year.

Sunday’s screenings topped the previous high, set on Friday, when TSA airport screenings topped 2 million a day for the first time since March 7, 2020.

The surge in airport activity is the latest sign of domestic air travel picking up after months of pandemic restrictions. Airlines are now adding more flights to their schedules, and major carriers are seeing their stock prices bounce back.

However, TSA has warned that 131 of the largest U.S. airports will likely face staff shortages this month.

The agency said it has taken a number of steps in recent weeks to ramp up hiring ahead of summer travel. In a statement to The Hill last week, the TSA said it is “well-positioned to meet the rising traveler volumes,” and that the agency’s “concerted recruitment effort” is in line with actions taken in previous years.