The Transportation Security Administration has introduced a new expansion to the Screening Partnership Program: TSA Gold+.
After a year plagued with US government shutdowns causing delayed airport security lines, the Transportation Security Administration is launching this new private-public partnership program as a way to combat the troubles public TSA screenings face when the government is shut down or not operating in full.
The most recent partial US government shutdown occurred earlier this year, and left nearly 61,000 TSA workers missing a collective $1 billion dollars in paychecks. The government shutdown had also impacted the efficiency of the airport security lines, leaving travelers standing in hours-long lines all across the country.
In March, President Donald Trump stepped in to help TSA workers, temporarily rerouting federal funds to pay airport security workings that money they should’ve received throughout the shutdown. But ultimately, the privatization of TSA screenings is to help airports be more self-sufficient, avoiding country-wide travel disruptions and future lapses in funding. While the Screening Partnership Program (SPP) is already taking active steps towards this, partnering with multiple private companies to operate security screenings at 20 U.S. airports under the TSA guidelines, the introduction of TSA Gold+ allows passengers another private-public option for TSA screening.
What is the TSA Gold+ Program?
TSA announced the TSA Gold+ program in an internal memo on May 14, describing it as an “innovative extension” of the Screening Partnership Program (SPP). On the TSA Gold+ website, it’s explained that this program is “a new public-private partnership aimed at modernizing aviation security at select airports across the United States.” TSA Gold+ intends to expand upon the SPP model, and will redirect funds into long-term partnerships with “leading industry operators” and private companies, with oversight from TSA.
Starting on May 14th, 2026, airports can opt in to utilizing TSA Gold+. They will receive a security screening service that’s tailored specifically to their space and individual needs. They will also receive support from TSA and the private companies TSA Gold+ partners with. Also, the integration of TSA Gold+ won’t come at any financial cost to airports, as the costs will be managed by private industry vendors.
How Will the TSA Gold+ Program Impact Travelers?
Currently, passengers should see no major changes to airport security, especially if the airport they are flying through does not implement the TSA Gold+ program right away. However, the ultimate goal of the program is to streamline airport security screenings while also reducing the constantly required support of the federal agency’s budget. This means that airports that do choose to implement the TSA Gold+ program into their security screenings will see faster security lines that sustain their high throughput even during government shutdowns.
