Gas Prices Drop as Spring Break Travel Kicks Into High Gear
By Eric Hanson
Foreign Bureau
Travelers hitting the road will see more affordable prices, as the national average for a price of gasoline are down.
According to AAA Travel, supply and demand are the main reasons for the decline, as OPEC+ announced it would increase oil production next month by more than 400,000 barrels a day.
The national average for a gallon of gasoline is now $3.22, which is down considerably from this time last year when it cost $3.61. The price is up from a month ago when the average was $3.08.
The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($4.92), Hawaii ($4.52), Washington ($4.38), Oregon ($4.00), Nevada ($3.97), Alaska ($3.65), Illinois ($3.46), Arizona ($3.39), Pennsylvania ($3.38), and Idaho ($3.35).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Mississippi ($2.73), Tennessee ($2.75), Oklahoma ($2.77), Louisiana ($2.81), South Carolina ($2.81), Texas ($2.82), Kentucky ($2.84), Alabama ($2.84), Arkansas ($2.84), and Kansas ($2.87).
The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station stayed the same this past week at 34 cents.
JetBlue Expands Summer Routes From Florida
By Marla Sanchez
West Coast Bureau
South Florida fliers will have nonstop access to two new destinations this summer, thanks to JetBlue’s latest expansion.
The airline announced on Thursday that it would be resuming operations on two routes out of Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in July to both the East Coast and South America.
The first route to restart will be nonstop service to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), starting on July 3. JetBlue will operate two flights a day on the route, with the first departure leaving FLL at 8 a.m. and arriving at PHL at 10:50 a.m.; the second flight departs FLL at 4:10 p.m. and arrives at PHL at 7 p.m.
JetBlue will also resume service from FLL to Guayaquil, Ecuador on July 17. The airline will fly into José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE) once a day, departing FLL at 10 a.m. and landing at GYE at 1:30 p.m.
The two routes are being reinstated thanks to “shifts in market conditions and aircraft availability,” the airline said. JetBlue had paused its service on the routes as part of larger optimization of its network.
“With direct access from Philadelphia and Guayaquil via Fort Lauderdale, we’re not only making it easier for more customers to get to their favorite vacation destination, but also to connect with their family and friends, all while strengthening JetBlue’s position as a preferred carrier in South Florida,” said Daniel Shurz, JetBlue’s head of revenue, network and enterprise planning.
The carrier will use its Airbus A320 jets to operate both routes. Those planes offer travelers in-seat conveniences that JetBlue is known for, like free in-flight Wi-Fi, 110 volt outlets and USB charging ports in every row, and free live TV at every seat.
Tickets for both routes are currently on sale on JetBlue’s website, with one-way fares on the Philadelphia route starting at $69, and one-way tickets to Guayaquil starting at $119.
Avelo Airlines Facing Backlash Over Deportation Flights
By Suzanne Edgewater
West Coast Bureau
Houston-based Avelo Airlines, an ultra-low-cost carrier, is facing passenger boycotts after news reports surfaced that the Trump Administration would be chartering some of its planes for ICE deportation flights from Arizona.
Flights will be used to move deportees to other countries, as well as within the U.S. from point to point.
A petition at Change.org noted that the airline has signed a contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration Control and Enforcement agency to carry out deportation flights from Mesa, Arizona and that it is currently recruiting staff for these flights.
A leaked internal memo said the deportation flights will make up for operating losses at New Haven, Connecticut's Tweed Airport (HVN). Almost 30,000 people had signed the petition as of Friday.
The airline also announced that it was shutting down an operation base and reducing flights at Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, located north of San Francisco. Avelo released a statement to a local television station there, saying that the changes were related to the ICE charters.
"We realize this is a sensitive and complicated topic. After significant deliberations, we determined this charter flying will provide us with the stability to continue expanding our core scheduled passenger service and keep our more than 1,100 crewmembers employed for years to come."
Avelo flies Boeing 737 aircraft from seven U.S. airports. Including the two mentioned above, the airline serves Hollywood Burbank Airport in California, Wilmington Airport in Delaware, Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Lakeland International Airport in Florida, and Charlotte’s Concord-Padgett Regional Airport.
World's Best Airports for 2025 Revealed
By Carla Martilotti
Foreign Bureau
Asia leads the way when it comes to the world's best airports for 2025.
UK-based air transport rating organization Skytrax celebrated the World Airport Awards in Madrid this week, polling travelers at 565 airports around the globe before naming Singapore Changi Airport the world's best for the 13th time.
Having become a destination in itself, Changi boasts numerous attractions, including a 10-story Jewel shopping mall, multiple indoor gardens and the world’s largest indoor waterfall at approximately 130 feet.
Travelers can also look forward to a theme park, theater, museum, spas and hotels, among other highlights.
In addition to World's Best Airport, Changi—which plans to invest billions over the next six years—received awards for World's Best Airport Dining, World’s Best Airport Washrooms and Best Airport in Asia.
Rounding out the top five for 2025 are Qatar's Hamad International Airport, Tokyo Haneda Airport, Incheon International Airport in South Korea and Japan's Narita International Airport.
While Asia dominates the list, Europe managed to land seven airports in the top 20, with Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris reaching seventh.
No U.S. airport made the top 20, with Canada's Vancouver International Airport (13th) being the lone representative of North America.
- Singapore Changi Airport
- Hamad International Airport
- Tokyo Haneda Airport
- Incheon International Airport
- Narita International Airport
- Hong Kong International Airport
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
- Rome Fiumicino Airport
- Munich Airport
- Zurich Airport
- Dubai International Airport
- Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
- Vancouver International Airport
- Istanbul Airport
- Vienna International Airport
- Melbourne Airport
- Chubu Centrair International Airport
- Copenhagen Airport
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
- Bahrain International Airport
Uptick in Travel Drives Increased Demand for Security
By Eric Hanson
Foreign Bureau
In 2024, an increase in travel has prompted a significant rise in the demand for security advisory and extraction protection services, according to the Global Rescue Spring 2024 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.
Global Rescue is a leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services around the world. For the study, the company polled 2,000 of its current and former members to discover their behaviors, attitudes and preferences when it comes to current and future travel plans.
A notable 63 percent of seasoned travelers indicated they would purchase security extraction protection services if the U.S. State Department travel advisory for their intended destination was rated Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) or Level 2 (exercise increased caution).
Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce, highlighted the impact of current global conflicts on travel security decisions. “Travelers are saying the war in Ukraine, the Hamas attacks on Israel, or other violent conflicts make it more likely they will add security extraction and advisory protection to their travel protection packages,” he said.
The survey findings further revealed that nearly a third (31 percent) of respondents would seek additional security travel protection when traveling to areas prone to terrorism, civil unrest or regions neighboring war zones. Additionally, 27 percent would obtain such protection for any international travel, regardless of specific regional threats.
Correspondingly, Richards revealed that his company is seeing a significant increase in demand for these protection products. "We're experiencing double-digit growth in membership sales for both medical evacuation and security protection services. As travel booms, we’re seeing an understandable increase in traveler safety concern worldwide,” he said.
Another notable finding from the survey is the shift in travel preferences regarding the customarily popular destination of Paris. Nearly 90 percent of respondents indicated they would avoid the French capital city in 2024 altogether.
The attitude of these experienced travelers toward Paris seemed to stem from a mix of safety concerns about potential protests and civil unrest, the anticipated crowds from the upcoming Summer Olympic Games and a general preference for less traditional travel destinations.
American Airlines to Debut New Route to Mexico
By Michael Sinclair
Foreign Bureau
American Airlines is gearing up for a record-breaking Mexico flight schedule in 2025 with the carrier announcing its 30th location in the country.
Beginning December 3, American Airlines will kick off non-stop service to Puerto Escondido (PXM). The airline will offer year-round flights to PXM twice weekly from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW).
The new route, which will be flown by Embraer 175 aircraft, will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays. That's more service to Puerto Escondido than any other U.S. carrier.
"Puerto Escondido is quickly becoming a top destination for travelers in search of tropical and relaxing getaways, and we are confident that our new service from Dallas-Fort Worth will offer our customers the opportunity to experience a unique part of Mexico," José A. Freig, American's vice president of international, contact center operations and service recovery, said in a statement.
Located on the coast of Oaxaca, Puerto Escondido is known for its beaches, nightlife and more. It's a location where visitors can enjoy everything from surfing and sunbathing to local seafood.
Mexico continues to be the most popular international destination for travel from the U.S., according to American Airlines. The carrier has been strategically growing its network in the country.
In March, American Airlines launched new service to Tampico (TAM), and this November, American will begin the only international service from the state of Oklahoma with new flights to Cancun (CUN).
In 2024, American announced new service to three destinations in Mexico: Tijuana (TIJ), Tulum (TQO) and Veracruz (VER).
State Department Issues Overall Travel Warning
By Steve Fortz
West Coast Bureau
The United States Department of State has issued a warning to all Americans who are traveling abroad – be cautious.
The warning is because of rising tensions in many parts of the world and anti-American sentiment.
This is unusual because even though warnings are usually for specific areas or regions and not worldwide, there is a heightened sense of security.
There are currently wars in Ukraine and Gaza as well as terrorist attacks in the Middle East and protests on college campuses in the U.S. That’s not to mention issues in such places as Haiti and elsewhere.
The alert also mentions potential violence against the LGBTQIA+ community. Pride Month begins shortly, on June 1. There are numerous related parades and events set to take place so the State Department is urging vigilance. The department is concerned that foreign terrorist organizations will try to disrupt events.
It is also asking travelers to enroll in STEP, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, to receive real-time information and alerts.
“We are aware of the increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against LGBTQI+ persons and events and advise U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution,” the warning reads.
Fist Fight Forces FAA to Revamp Air Traffic Control Team
By Sandy Simpson
East Coast Bureau
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is replacing three air traffic control managers at Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, DC, following a tumultuous few months in the hub’s tower, reports say.
On Tuesday, the FAA confirmed to the Washington Post that the three managers, who oversee air traffic control operations at DCA, and two other busy airports in the area—Dulles International and Baltimore-Washington International Marshall—would be offered reassignment after a violent incident erupted in control tower at the end of March.
That episode saw a supervisor in the DCA tower punch a subordinate in the face, drawing blood, according to the Post’s report. The supervisor was later charged with assault and battery and put on administrative leave.
The violent outburst came during a tragic and tense period at DCA, following the deadly mid-air collision in January between a US Army helicopter and an American Airlines jet, as well as another notable near-collision in recent weeks.
At the end of March, a Delta regional plane taking off at DCA nearly collided with an Air Force jet on its way to execute a flyover of Arlington Cemetery, according to CBS News. Fortunately, air traffic controllers were able to correct both planes’ flight paths, but the incident has added even more scrutiny to operations in the airport’s control tower.
"We brought in a new DCA management team to ensure strong support for the workforce," the FAA said in a statement to CBS News. "Their priorities will include: reviewing safety data trends while preventing/correcting drift, performance management and ensuring facility training is robust and consistently meets national standards."
Shortly after the three managers at DCA were forced out of their jobs, the FAA’s chief operating officer of air traffic control, Tim Arel, announced on Wednesday that he would be retiring early. Arel was slated to retire at the end of 2025, according to the CBS report, but will be taking a buyout from the Department of Transportation and departing several months ahead of schedule.
Multiple Passengers Injured After DL Air Lines Flight Aborts
By John Stutz
West Coast Bureau
On Friday morning, a Minneapolis-bound Delta Air Lines flight was forced to abort its takeoff amid snowy weather at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
The incident, which was allegedly the result of an engine fire, injured four of the flight's 201 passengers, sending one person to the hospital.
The Boeing 757's slides were deployed and passengers had to be bussed back to the terminal.
Passenger Curtis James told CNN that, "on takeoff, something went wrong and the engine caught fire," prompting an emergency evacuation.
"Delta's flight crew followed established procedures to suspend the takeoff of flight 2668 from Atlanta (ATL) to Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) after an indication of an engine issue," the airline said in a statement.
"Four passengers are reporting minor injuries; one was transported, and the remaining three were treated on scene," airport officials confirmed in a statement.
The incident comes as Winter Storm Cora continues to wreak havoc across a large swath of the southern U.S.
Get Flights To Europe Starting at $99, But Hurry
By Suze Miller
Foreign Bureau
Icelandic budget carrier Play is observing Memorial Day with a special flash sale, which offers travelers the chance to book one-way flights to Europe for as low as $99. This promotion, which ends at 12:00 a.m. ET on May 27, covers travel dates from August through December 2024. It also extends to some of the Continent’s most sought-after destinations, including such as France, England, Iceland, Ireland, Germany, Greece and others.
“Summer is finally here and Play challenges travelers to get ahead on their shoulder season trips to take advantage of low prices and a calmer time of the year to visit top tourist destinations,” Einar Örn Ólafsson, Play’s CEO, told Travel + Leisure. “Getaways during the fall and winter are a perfect time to unwind after a hectic summer, and Play wants to make these trips more affordable with this Memorial Day Discount to kick off summer and travel planning.”
The sale includes $99 one-way flights to Reykjavik and $129 one-way flights to other popular European cities, such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Dublin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, London and Paris. These discounted flights are available from all of Play’s U.S. gateway airports, which include Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Play, which began operating in Europe in 2021 and launched its first U.S. flight the following year, uses a hub-and-spoke model wherein all flights connect through Iceland’s capital of Reykjavik before proceeding to various destinations across Europe. The airline currently serves more than two dozen European cities, offering a range of options for travelers looking to explore the Continent.
As a low-cost carrier, Play’s pricing is per flight leg, and it charges extra for such additional services as checked baggage, food and drinks, allowing travelers to customize their flying experience according to their budget and preferences.
And, while this limited-time deal will enable you to get to Europe without breaking the bank, it does come with some restrictions. Importantly, to qualify for the sale prices, travelers must book roundtrip flights, even though the pricing as listed is for one-way travel.
Would-be travelers should also note that the exact travel dates available and applicable blackout periods vary depending upon the destination. For instance, flights to Iceland, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London and Paris are available on Mondays from August 19 to November 25, and from December 2 to December 16.
Plane Owned by Former US President Trump Part of Accident
By Richard Alexander
West Coast Bureau
The private Boeing 757 owned by former United States President Donald Trump clipped another corporate airplane while taxiing at West Palm Beach International Airport in Florida on Sunday.
According to Reuters.com, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesperson confirmed that a privately-owned Boeing 757 was involved in an accident that saw it collide with an unoccupied corporate jet parked at the south Florida airport.
FAA representatives did not confirm that the former president owned the plane, but an investigation has been launched regarding the incident. The spokesperson said the contact occurred at an area of West Palm Beach Airport where the FAA does not direct planes.
A report from The Palm Beach Post found that a separate online FAA report said the Boeing 757 “struck the rear elevator of a parked VistaJet.” The same report indicated that no one was injured in the incident.
Trump’s Boeing 757 was purchased in 2010 for $100 million and heavily customized with “gold plated accents, two private guestrooms, three bathrooms, dining and conference areas and an extensive entertainment system.”
With Trump looking to become president again in November, TravelPulse’s Mia Taylor spoke with travel professionals to find out how they think a second term in office might impact the industry.
Frontier Airlines Cuts Flights Amid Economic Uncertainty
By Carla Martilotti
Foreign Bureau
Another major airline is experiencing fallout from President Donald Trump's tariffs and the economic uncertainty that has been triggered.
Frontier Airlines is pulling its full-year economic outlook and cutting flights from its schedule amid weakened consumer demand and what the carrier called an "uncertain environment," per CNBC.
In addition, the low-cost carrier has reduced its first-quarter outlook, indicating that a drop in consumer confidence in March has impacted business.
"Revenue growth is anticipated to be lower than expected due to weakened demand in March, resulting in fare discounting and promotions across the industry, amplified by the close-in nature of Frontier's bookings," according to Frontier's securities filing.
The news comes on the heels of Delta Air Lines pulling its 2025 financial forecast yesterday.
The Atlanta-based carrier also predicted that current-quarter profits will not meet expectations, thanks to travel demand being "largely stalled" on the heels of Trump's announcement of tariffs for dozens of countries, including historic allies.
Additionally, Delta is now deferring planned aircraft deliveries that would be impacted by the new tariffs and like Frontier, it's reducing capacity. The airline's CEO, Ed Bastian, has said that increasing tariffs are "the wrong approach."
Trump's tariff announcement sent the stock market spiraling downward, reaching lows it has not seen since the end of World War II. The announcement also impacted markets worldwide, erasing more than $10 trillion.
In addition to the impact of Trump's tariffs, Frontier executives attribute the gloomier economic outlook to mass government layoffs and an overall drop in consumer confidence.
The president has since announced a 90-day pause on the tariff rollout.
Airbus Unveils New First-Class Mega-Suite
By Dorothy Sheridan
East Coast Bureau
Airbus has revealed a new first class suite concept for its A350-1000 planes—spacious mega-suites that raise the bar on privacy and onboard opulence.
The vast new suites are part of the plane-maker’s Airspace cabin design, and they have us wanting to jump aboard and book the first flight to anywhere.
Renderings of the new concept, which Airbus calls the Master Suite, show two modern sofas facing each other with side tables and reading lights, as well as a two-person dining table that can be set up for meal times.
The massive suite is designed to accommodate two passengers flying together, and it includes access to their own private lavatory, changing area, bar, and a double bed. The entire space is encapsulated by privacy doors that stretch to the aircraft ceiling. Mood lighting above the suite’s sofas creates a warm ambience in daytime and appears to switch to a starry night feature suitable for sleeping. Other features include a herringbone floor design and wireless device charging.
Airbus’ plans show three of the suites in the jet’s first class cabin, laid out in a 1-1-1 configuration. The company also notes that the designs move the stairs to the Forward Crew Rest Compartment to a new center module area in the cabin, meaning more privacy for first class guests and less disturbance from flight crew passing by.
Over-the-top first class suites have been trending in the industry this year, with new concepts like Air France’s just-launched La Premiere cabins and Lufthansa’s Allegris first class suites offering ultra-private and spacious accommodations at the front of the plane.
For now, Airbus’ mega-suite is just an idea. However, the company will display the concept at the upcoming Aircraft Interior Expo, with visitors and potential airline customers able to virtually step into the new suites via augmented reality.
Delta: 2025 Will Be Carrier’s ‘Most Profitable Year’
By Alex Johnson
East Coast Bureau
Delta Air Lines announced on Friday that it experienced a higher-than-expected fourth-quarter profit and forecast stronger earnings in the current quarter, all of which leads the carrier to forecast 2025 to be the most profitable year in the company's 100-year history.
According to Reuters.com, Delta expects earnings to exceed $7.35 a share this year compared to the expected $7.22 per share, with the airline reporting an adjusted profit of $6.16 a share in 2024.
The carrier reported that premium ticket revenue has been growing faster than main-cabin ticket revenue and is projected to outpace it by 2027. In the December quarter, premium revenue growth outperformed the main cabin by six percent.
“As we move into 2025, we expect strong demand for travel to continue, with consumers increasingly seeking the premium products and experiences that Delta provides,” CEO Ed Bastian told Reuters.
Earlier this week, Delta celebrated its 100th anniversary at CES 2025 in Las Vegas’ Sphere, announcing new technological advancements, including more personalized entertainment features in the air, a new AI-powered Delta Concierge debuting in the Fly Delta app and a new partnership with Airbus to create the next generation of aviation.
In addition, Delta customers will soon be able to earn SkyMiles when using ridesharing service Uber. The partnership, which launches in the spring, is available for travelers to register by joining a waitlist online. Travelers who link their SkyMiles and Uber accounts will enjoy earning 1 mile per dollar spent on UberX transfers to and from an airport, 2 miles per dollar on premium rides and 3 miles per dollar on Uber Reserve rides.
American Airlines Planes Collide at DC Airport
By Stephen Miller
West Coast Bureau
Two American Airlines planes were involved in a small collision while taxiing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday, April 10, with no injuries reported.
According to the statement by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the wingtip of American Airlines Flight 5490 struck American Airlines Flight 4522 around midday. Flight 5490 was heading to Charleston International Airport, while the other flight was heading for JFK International Airport.
The incident happened at an airport that has seen several collisions and near-misses in recent months, including the tragic accident between an American Airlines regional jet and a Black Hawk helicopter that claimed 67 lives. This latest incident will also be investigated by the FAA.
Reagan Washington Airport is also listed among the world's most challenging airport runways for pilots.
According to ABC News, three members of Congress, Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J. and Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y were onboard Flight 4522 to New York.
"The plane shook violently," Rep. Gottheimer told ABC News Live. "It was pretty clear that we got hit. The pilot came on and told us we weren't going anywhere except back to the gate. We then waited about 45 minutes or so before they could move us.”
American Airlines said both planes would be inspected. The collision didn’t impact any other flights or operations at the airport.
Disney CEO Bob Iger Seeks a Smooth Transition
By Eric Hanson
Foreign Bureau
Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger only wants the best.
That includes his replacement.
In fact, he says he is obsessed by it. Maybe that’s because his first attempt at retiring didn’t go so well for his replacement.
“I think it would be safe to assume that I think about [CEO succession] all the time,” he told daytime television host Kelly Ripa. “I could say that ‘I’m obsessed with it’ would be probably an understatement, and actually, the board and I established when I returned that that would be among our biggest, if not our biggest, [priorities].”
Iger, who is in his 70s and said he will step down in 2026, is in his second stint running the entertainment giant. He first retired in 2020 and chose Bob Chapek to succeed him.
It did not work out.
Chapek resigned after two years following falling stock prices and a highly publicized feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Disney board member and former Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman will chair the company’s succession planning committee to find Iger’s successor. The new CEO will likely have to face challenges including reduced theme park attendance and a reorganization of ESPN.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he stays,” a Disney source said of Iger and told the New York Post. “He is ageless and there aren’t many internal successors who are ready.”
US Airfares Continue Downward Trend
By Cedric Johnson
West Coast Bureau
Airfares dropped 5.3 percent this March from the month prior, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index.
The Consumer Price Index also noted the drop continued from February when prices declined by four percent from January.
According to sister publication Travel Weekly, economic uncertainty is causing corporate and leisure travel demand in the United States to wane, and has hurt consumer confidence.
Major US air carriers have all changed their first-quarter profit forecasts, and Delta, the first airline to release its first-quarter report, held off on a full-year prediction due to the uncertainty. The airline expects growth to stall.
In February, IATA predicted that the profit from North American airlines would increase 15 percent this year due to high demand and a lower capacity caused by Boeing’s backlog of new aircraft. ARC data reported the highest monthly booking total for U.S. travel agency ticket sales in its history back in December, totaling $99.2 billion. This number was predicted to only grow in 2025.
Now, those predictions of upward momentum are stalling, at least for the time being.
IATA’s latest report on global air passenger demand noted that while air travel grew in all regions of the world in February, only North America saw a decline of 3.2 percent, citing “the current concerns of US consumers regarding policy and economic factors” as a primary contributor to the decline.
REAL ID Enforcement to Start on May 7
By Rick Jetters
West Coast Bureau
Almost two decades ago, Congress approved the 2005 REAL ID Act, which demands stricter federal standards for issuing identification cards. The actual implementation of the standards have been pushed back multiple times, including because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
But now the Transportation Security Administration is readying for enforcement.
The agency, in a release dated April 11, said that travelers with a non-compliant ID will face additional screening measures and possible travel delays starting on May 7, the day that enforcement finally goes into effect.
“On May 7, TSA will no longer accept state-issued identifications that are not REAL ID compliant at TSA security checkpoints. All airline passengers 18 years and older, including TSA PreCheck members, must present REAL ID-compliant identification or another acceptable ID, such as a passport, at TSA security checkpoints,” said the release. “Noncitizens illegally present in the U.S. who are voluntarily self-deporting on international flights will not be denied boarding under this requirement.
TSA also said that for passengers who present a non-compliant state-issued identification without another acceptable alternative (such as passport) should expect to face delays as well as additional screening. There is also the possibility of passengers not being permitted into the security checkpoint.
Currently, TSA said that 81% of travelers are presenting an acceptable identification such as REAL ID. It expects the number of passengers obtaining REAL IDs to steadily increase. Reuters noted that it is still unclear how vigorously the TSA will enforce these new rules. Domestic airlines have already expressed concern about lower demand due to the economy and the effects of tariffs.