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Timeline

2025

May 7, 2025
TSA Begins REAL ID Full Enforcement

From this date forward, individuals must present a REAL ID-compliant license, passport, or other federally accepted identification to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. The goal of REAL ID is to improve the sec…

2024

May 2024
TSA Announces the Publication of the Flight Training Security Program Final Rule

TSA published in the Federal Register a final rule for the Flight Training Security Program. The final rule updated the Program to improve its efficiency and effectiveness, including the security threat assessment process for flight trai…

March 2024
TSA and DHS S&T to Prototype Self-Service Screening System at Harry Reid International Airport

TSA and DHS's Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) unveiled a prototype checkpoint technology, the self-service screening system, at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas. The self-service screening system is a prot…

March 2024
TSA Tested Language Translation-Interpretation Devices at Airports

TSA officers at Philadelphia International Airport tested new hand-held language translation-interpretation devices to support a more positive security checkpoint experience for individuals who have limited English proficiency, internati…

2023

December 2023
TSA Now Accepts Mobile IDs in Samsung Wallet on Samsung Mobile Devices, Starting with Arizona

In collaboration with the State of Arizona and Samsung, TSA accepted, for limited testing and evaluation purposes, Arizona-issued mobile driver's licenses and identification (ID) cards in Samsung Wallet on Samsung mobile devices. Passeng…

August 2023
Telos Corporation Becomes TSA's Second Official TSA PreCheck Enrollment Provider

TSA announced its expansion of TSA PreCheck with Telos Corporation, which offered TSA PreCheck enrollment services at 10 locations. This made Telos TSA's second official TSA PreCheck enrollment provider. Since TSA first launched the TSA …

August 2023
TSA announces Expansion of Certified Cargo Screening Program for Manufacturers and Shippers

TSA announced changes to the Certified Cargo Screening Program that enabled more shippers to enter the secure supply chain. On June 30, 2021, TSA mandated that all air cargo originating in the United States and destined for non-U.S. loca…

July 2023
Transportation Security Administration Implements New Compensation Plan

TSA implemented the Transportation Security Compensation Plan, previously referred to as pay equity, for all TSA employees. No employee's salary was reduced as a result of the compensation plan. This plan honored the commitment by DHS Se…

July 2023
TSA Updates, Renews Cybersecurity Requirements for Pipeline Owners, Operators

TSA announced an update to its Security Directive regarding oil and natural gas pipeline cybersecurity. Following a May 2021 ransomware attack that disrupted the supply chain, TSA issued security directives mandating that critical pipeli…

June 2023
TSA Now Accepts Mobile IDs in Google Wallet on Android Mobile Devices, Starting with the State of Maryland

TSA began accepting mobile IDs in Google Wallet on Android mobile devices, starting with Maryland. In collaboration with the State of Maryland and Google, the TSA accepted Maryland-issued mobile driver's licenses and ID cards at select T…

June 2023
TSA Launches Academy West

On June 9, 2023, TSA launched Academy West in Las Vegas, NV and marked the official opening of the facility with a ribbon cutting event attended by TSA Administrator David Pekoske, as well as other federal, county, and local officials. A…

May 2023
COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ends

On May 11, 2023 the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration ends. Starting on May 12, 2023 TSA reverts back to pre-pandemic travel and safety protocols including the 3-1-1 liquids rule for hand sanitizer and the end of COVID…

April 2023
TSA Awards Up to $128 Million for the Second Generation of Credential Authentication Technology Systems

TSA announced the award of an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, with a value of up to $128 million, to Idemia Identity and Security USA, LLC for the second-generation Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) s…

April 2023
TSA Awards Up to $1.3 Billion for Additional CT X-ray Scanners for airport checkpoints

TSA announced the award of three orders for a combined total value of nearly $1.3 billion for Computed Tomography (CT) scanners to include up to 426 base, 359 mid-size, and 429 full-size units for deployment across TSA checkpoints. This …

March 2023
TSA Issues New Cybersecurity Requirements for Airport and Aircraft Operators

TSA issued a new cybersecurity amendment (on an emergency basis) to the security programs of certain TSA-regulated airport and aircraft operators, following similar measures announced in October 2022 for passenger and freight railroad ca…

March 2023
TSA PreCheck Sets New Active Membership Record

TSA announced its TSA PreCheck application program surpassed 15 million active members, setting a new record for the program that began in December 2013. More than 19,200 individuals applied for TSA Recheck membership on February 21, 202…

March 2023
20th Anniversary of DHS

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) marked the 20th Anniversary of the Department's creation. President Joseph Biden joined DHS to recognize the years of progress. DHS held a ceremony at the DHS Headquarters at the St. Elizabeth's …

2022

December 2022
AskTSA Offers Text Option

To better assist travelers with questions about airport security screening procedures, passengers may now send a text from any mobile device to "AskTSA" (275-872). A virtual assistant is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For mor…

December 2022
TSA Breaks Firearm Record, Increases Fines

TSA intercepts a record number of firearms brought by passengers to airport security checkpoints in 2022. As of December 16, TSA has stopped 6,301 firearms, 88% of which were loaded. This number surpasses the previous record of 5,972 fir…

December 2022
TSA Pay Equity Included in FY23

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 supports critical efforts to modernize TSA's pay structure by including funding to bring TSA employee compensation in alignment with other federal agencies. TSA employees, in particular TSA's f…

November 2022
Launch of Virtual Mission Hall & TSA's 21st Anniversary

The Virtual Mission Hall Exhibit: Remembering the Past, Informing the Future, on www.TSA.gov/history is a digital experience of walking through Mission Hall and learning how TSA was created. The exhibit features in…

October 2022
TSA Publishes Innovation Doctrine

TSA publishes its first Innovation Doctrine, a guiding document encouraging innovative thinking and defining the agency's critical next steps after 20 years of growth. The doctrine ensures TSA is positioned to outpace evolving threats to…

May 2022
Mobile Driver's License Program Begins for Arizona and Maryland Residents

TSA has deployed a new technology that allows some passengers to use their state-issued mobile driver's license or mobile ID to verify their identity for airport screening. Travelers can add a digital version of their license or state ID…

March 2022
TSA Awards CT X-Ray Scanner Contract

TSA announces the award of two orders for a combined total value of up to $781.2 million for the procurement and maintenance of base and full-size Computed Tomography (CT) x-ray systems for carry-on items at TSA checkpoints.

2021

December 2021
New Cyber-Security Requirements for Surface Transportation

TSA announces Security Directives and guidance for voluntary measures to strengthen cybersecurity across the transportation sector in response to ongoing cybersecurity threats to surface transportation systems and infrastructure. These D…

November 2021
20th Anniversary of TSA

TSA recognizes the 20th anniversary of the agency’s creation with a special ceremony at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport’s original Terminal A historic lobby. On this date and in this same terminal 20 years ago, President George…

September 2021
20th Anniversary of September 11th

TSA commemorates the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks with an outdoor ceremony at the agency's headquarters. Current and former agency officials are among those who attended the event to hear keynote remarks provide…

September 2021
TSA Launches Spanish-Language Version of AskTSA

TSA launched @AskTSA in 2016 to provide quality, real-time responses to traveler concerns and answer questions about a variety of topics, such as the security screening process and how to retrieve lost items. The new automated Spanish-la…

July 2021
New Cybersecurity Requirements for Pipelines

In response to ongoing cybersecurity threats to the nation's critical transportation infrastructure, TSA issues a second Security Directive for pipeline systems. The directive requires owners and operators of TSA-designated critical pipe…

June 2021
TSA Reopens Innovation Checkpoint

TSA reopens the Innovation Checkpoint at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (later renamed Harry Reid International Airport) after the pandemic. TSA developed the Innovation Checkpoint in 2019 to evaluate emerging security technolo…

January 2021
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) achieves 100% CAT coverage

TSA installs touchless automated photo identification scanners at all of Los Angeles International Airport's (LAX) security screening checkpoints, making it the first airport in the country to be fully outfitted with Credential Authentic…

2020

March 2020
Liquid Hand Sanitizer Up to 12 ounces Allowed in Carry-on Bags

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TSA announced that one liquid hand sanitizer container up to 12 ounces per passenger, is allowed in carry-on bags until further notice.

2019

September 2019
Innovation Checkpoint

On September 3, 2019, TSA unveiled the Innovation Checkpoint, a collaborative effort between TSA's Innovation Task Force and the McCarran International Airport that allows for side-by-side testing and evaluation of emerging security tech…

2018

December 2018
Enhanced Advanced Imaging Technology

In partnership with TSA, Denver International Airport is the first U.S. airport to operate next generation Enhanced Advanced Imaging Technology (eAIT) for checkpoint security screening. The equipment has enhanced detection capabilities t…

October 2018
FAA Reauthorization Act

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, Public Law 115-254, was signed, which included the TSA Modernization Act, and marked the first ever reauthorization of TSA since the agency's founding in 2001. The bill authorized TSA to continue as a…

July 2018
Computed Tomography (CT)

TSA announced plans to test CT scanners, a state-of-the-art, 3-D technology at select U.S. airport checkpoints. As the agency continues to raise the baseline for aviation security, the new technology enhances critical explosives and othe…

February 2018
Facial Comparison Technology Testing

TSA and Los Angeles World Airports partnered to demonstrate two security checkpoint technologies that were piloted at Los Angeles International Airport. U. S. Customs and Border Patrol was a partner in the pilot program that used facial …

2017

July 2017
New Procedures for Personal Electronics

To ensure the security of airline passengers and U.S. airports, TSA begins implementing new, stronger domestic screening procedures for carry-on items that require travelers to place all personal electronics larger than a cell phone in b…

March 2017
Raising the Baseline Globally

To raise the baseline for aviation security worldwide, TSA develops enhanced screening measures at overseas a…

2016

May 2016
Automated Screening Lanes

TSA, in collaboration with industry partners, begins deploying state-of-the-art automated screening lanes. Security enhancement features include unique radio frequency identification tags attached to bin to allow for additional accountab…

2015

February 2015
Enhanced Screening

TSA utilizes testing teams to identify areas and means of improving detection and resolution capabilities. TSA requires enhanced screening at select overseas airports with direct flights to the United States and increases the number of r…

January 2015
Concealing IEDs

Terrorists become increasingly interested in circumventing airport security screening by concealing improvised explosive devices inside commercial electronics, physical areas of the body, cargo, shoes/clothing and cosmetics/liquids.

2014

December 2014
Technology and Pat-Downs

TSA makes numerous operation enhancements to advanced imaging technology and explosives trace detection, to complement technologies already in use. TSA focuses on improved pat-down procedures for alarm resolution and specialized screenin…

December 2014
Inspire Targets Aviation

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula releases an issue of Inspire magazine, which discusses aviation as a target of attack and details how to build nonmetallic IEDs, which airlines to attack and where to place the devices on a plane.

2013

December 2013
TSA PreCheck® application center

The first TSA PreCheck® application center opens at Indianapolis International Airport. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can apply for TSA PreCheck® by providing biographic information, fingerprints, payment, and identity and…

2012

May 2012
Bomb Plot

The FBI, in cooperation with foreign intelligence and security officials, publicly reports the seizure, outside of the United States, of an explosive device resembling an underwear bomb used in previous attempts to attack civil aviation …

2011

December 2011
TSA PreCheck®

TSA begins TSA PreCheck® operations at McCarran International Airport. TSA PreCheck® is an expedited screening program that makes risk assessments about passengers prior to their arrival at an airport checkpoint. It provides expedited sc…

2010

November 2010
Cargo Shipments Suspended

Air cargo shipments to the United States from Yemen are suspended indefinitely. Passengers are prohibited from having printer cartridges in carry-on baggage.

October 2010
Cargo Planes Bomb Plot

British and United Arab Emirates authorities intercept two IEDs concealed in printer cartridges aboard two separate cargo planes from Yemen. Authorities determine the IEDs were intended to detonate during flights to the United States.

June 2010
Secure Flight

TSA achieves 100 percent pre-screening for all covered domestic air carrier flights within, in-bound for, or out-bound from the United States using the Secure Flight system.

March 2010
Advanced Imaging Technology

TSA begins formally installing hundreds of advanced imaging technology units at U.S. airports. These units, also known as "full-body scanners," are designed to detect non-metallic weapons explosives and other threats, which could be conc…

2009

December 2009
Underwear Bomber

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula extremist Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, while aboard a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, tries to detonate an improvised explosive device concealed in his underwear.

2008

March 2008
Canine Teams

TSA deploys proprietary canine teams to aid in the screening of 100 percent air cargo loaded on U.S. passenger aircraft. TSA later expands the program to include passenger and baggage screening at airports.

2006

September 2006
3-1-1 Liquids Rule

A month after the implementation of the original liquids ban, TSA amends its rules governing liquids in passenger carry-on baggage and allows airline passengers to carry liquids, gels and aerosols in containers of only 3.4 ounces or less…

September 2006
ID Standards and Bomb Appraisals

TSA enhances security measures to include more random screening of employees, additional canine patrols, stronger air cargo security measures, more rigorous identity verification standards and deploying more trained security officers in …

August 2006
FAMS Deploy

In addition to new security measures, TSA also deploys federal air marshals overseas to counter the evolving threat to aviation security.

August 2006
Shoe Removal

Based on intelligence pointing to a continuing threat, TSA requires passengers to remove shoes to screen for explosives.

August 2006
Transatlantic Aircraft Plot

Terrorists plot to detonate liquid explosives carried onboard at least 10 airliners traveling from the UK to United States and Canada. British Police foil the plot. In response, TSA bans all liquids, gels and aerosols from passenger carr…

2005

December 2005
VIPR Teams

In response to events such as the 2004 Madrid train bombings, TSA establishes visible intermodal prevention and response teams to enhance security of rail and mass transit systems.

2003

April 2003
Cockpit Fortification

In accordance with ATSA and a January 2002 mandate, TSA works with the FAA and air carriers to reinforce cockpits doors on commercial aircraft in order to protect from intrusion, small-arms fire and fragmentation devices such as grenades…

April 2003
Federal Flight Deck Officer Program

The federal flight deck officer program is created in response to the Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act signed into law in November 2002. TSA begins training flight-deck personnel to carry firearms in early 2003 and the first armed pil…

2002

December 2002
Explosives Detection Systems

TSA meets a key mandate of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act by deploying explosives detection systems nationwide to screen all bags for explosives.

April 2002
First Federalized Airport

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) in Baltimore, Maryland, becomes the first federalized airport in the country.

2001

December 2001
Shoe Bomb Attempt

Richard Reid, later known as the shoe bomber, uses matches in an attempt to ignite explosive devices hidden in his shoes on a flight from Paris to Miami.

November 2001
Aviation and Transportation Security Act

President Bush signed the Aviation and Transportation Security Act into law requiring screening conducted by federal officials, 100 percent checked baggage screening, expansion of the Federal Air Marshal Service and reinforced cockpit do…

September 11, 2001
Sept. 11 Attacks

Nineteen terrorists hijack four U.S. airliners and crash two into the New York World Trade Center and one into the Pentagon; the fourth crashes in Pennsylvania. Thousands are killed in the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil.

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