A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced new legislation aimed at ensuring that fees collected from airline passengers are used to strengthen aviation security as originally intended. The Spending Aviation Fees for Equipment, Guaranteeing Upgraded and Advanced Risk Detection and Safety (SAFEGUARDS) Act was put forward by Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Michael Bennet (D-CO).
Currently, airline passengers pay a $5.60 fee per one-way ticket, which is meant to fund aviation security measures. However, since 2014, more than $13 billion of these funds have been redirected to other government uses instead of airport security initiatives.
The proposed SAFEGUARDS Act seeks to end this diversion by requiring that revenue from the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee be invested in improving airport screening technology and operations. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for screening millions of travelers daily across 2,400 security lanes at 420 airports nationwide.
“Ensuring that our airline security personnel have the most modern and effective tools and resources available to keep travelers safe is critical,” said Boozman. “I am pleased to work with my colleagues to ensure fees collected for the express purpose of bolstering aviation security are utilized appropriately on the primary mission to protect passengers and improve operational efficiency.”
Moran highlighted recent record air travel numbers: “Airline travel hit record highs during the Fourth of July holiday, and with every purchased ticket, passengers paid a mandatory fee that was originally created to support the safety of air travel,” he said. “Increased air travel, coupled with lack of investment in security checkpoints and aging systems, has resulted in outdated screening technology and longer security lines. This legislation would return the passenger security fees to their original intent of making U.S. air travel as safe and efficient as possible by investing the collected fees in deploying new technology to maintain a safe flying experience.”
Van Hollen added: “Upgrading our airport screening technology is a matter of both safety and efficiency. This bill will direct existing federal funds toward investing in modern baggage screening systems that help keep travelers safe – while providing a better travel experience at America’s airports.”
Bennet emphasized the importance for his state: “Our first duty is to ensure the safety of the American people. As tens of millions of travelers pass through Colorado’s airports every year, it is essential to continuously improve security screening and safety measures. This legislation ensures that resources meant to modernize our airports and keep Americans safe at every checkpoint are used as intended.”
If enacted, the SAFEGUARDS Act would allocate $500 million annually from Passenger Security Fee revenue for checked bag explosive detection systems, while setting aside $250 million each year for improvements in checkpoint technology.
Industry leaders expressed support for the measure. Todd Hauptli, President and CEO of American Association of Airport Executives stated: “AAAE appreciates Senators Moran, Van Hollen, Boozman and Bennet’s leadership to end the diversion of security fees paid by air travelers and prioritize critical investments in upgrading technology in use at the nation’s airports. Passengers in Kansas and across the country stand to benefit from enhanced security, efficiency, and reliability that will result from passage of this important legislation, and we urge its quick adoption.”
Kevin M. Burke from Airports Council International echoed this sentiment: “ACI-NA and its member airports remain committed to ensuring that America’s aviation system is safe, secure, and efficient for all users. We applaud Senators Moran, Van Hollen, Boozman and Bennet for introducing this important legislation that would provide TSA with dedicated resources to deploy next-generation screening technologies. As passenger volumes continue to grow and TSA’s technology procurement lags behind operational needs, this bill offers a critical boost to help the agency meet its core mission of screening passengers and baggage effectively and efficiently.”
David Hunt from Southwest Airlines commented: “This bill would enable the TSA to invest in modern security equipment that will make passenger and baggage screening systems more efficient and reliable. Southwest strongly supports investing security fees in technologies that will benefit our customers no matter where they travel.”
Tori Barnes with U.S. Travel Association noted ongoing issues with how funds are currently used: “Despite travelers paying the 9/11 Security Fee on every U.S. flight to improve aviation security, that funding continues to be diverted to pay for unrelated government spending — resulting in a tax on American travelers that has severely delayed critical security modernization. Sens. Moran, Van Hollen, Boozman and Bennet’s legislation would expedite game-changing screening technology to airports across the country — building on DHS’s recent ‘shoes off’ policy change… Without action, travelers won’t be able to carry larger liquids through TSA checkpoints for another 20 years…”
Smiths Detection Vice President Kevin Schmidt described it as an important investment: “The SAFEGUARDS Act will be essential…to equip our airports…with cutting-edge technology… Further,…the SAFEGUARDS Act will end the diversion…which has diverted over $19 billion from spending on national security…”
Nick Calio from Airlines for America pointed out upcoming major events requiring improved infrastructure: “Making smart investments in advanced technology…will streamline efficiencies,…keep travelers safe…. All of this will help ensure that the U.S….is ready…for a historic decade…, including [events such as] …the 2026 FIFA World Cup…, as well as …the 2028 Olympic…Games.”
Travelers United also supports this legislative effort.
