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-Editorial
A new report by the Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel warns that the United States’ aging air travel system is unprepared for an expected surge in international travel and calls for swift action from the federal government to avoid significant disruptions.
The report outlines a set of urgent policy recommendations to modernize the nation’s air travel infrastructure ahead of several major global events set to take place in the U.S., including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2025 Ryder Cup, and the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding.
“The advancements we recommend are an opportunity for President Trump and Congress to enact the most significant improvements to air travel since TSA PreCheck,” said Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “Each of our recommendations will enhance security and speed, ensuring travelers move efficiently through our airports.”
The travel industry’s blueprint focuses on avoiding widespread delays at airport security checkpoints, reducing customs processing times, and addressing staffing shortages among air traffic controllers and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel.
Key recommendations outlined in the report include the establishment of a White House-led task force to coordinate federal efforts and ensure the U.S. is prepared for a surge in international visitors during major upcoming events. The task force, chaired by a senior White House official, would oversee cross-agency collaboration. The commission also calls for reforms to the visa processing system to support the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including increased consular staffing, extended visa validity for vetted travelers, and the creation of a National Vetting Service aimed at processing visitor visas within 30 days.
Additional proposals focus on modernizing airport operations. The report urges the end of Passenger Security Fee diversions and recommends major investments in screening technology that would allow travelers to pass through security without removing liquids, electronics, or outerwear within five years. It also calls for strengthening U.S. Customs and Border Protection by ensuring full staffing at airport customs checkpoints, using biometric technology to eliminate long wait times for returning U.S. citizens, and completing the implementation of a biometric air exit system within two years to track immigration overstays.
Kevin McAleenan, former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security and chair of the commission emphasized the need for coordinated public-private collaboration.
“With the recommendations to increase security and enhance facilitation with smart technology investments and process improvements, we have an incredible opportunity to enhance our travel system and welcome additional visitors,” McAleenan said.
The commission is composed of former federal officials from the Department of Homeland Security, State Department, TSA, and CBP, alongside private sector leaders in airport management and investment.
Freeman warned that without immediate federal leadership, the U.S. risks falling behind in global travel competitiveness.
“The next several years will bring unprecedented travel demand that our systems are not prepared to handle,” Freeman said. “Washington has a small window to fix major travel pain points and unlock a $100 billion economic opportunity — but it will require a level of urgency that has been missing in recent years.”
The U.S. Travel Association is calling for bipartisan action to implement the report’s findings, framing the current moment as a critical opportunity to build a travel system that meets both domestic and international expectations.
“This is the moment to deliver the world-class travel system Americans deserve — and the world expects,” Freeman concluded.