Airport security and the safety of the traveling public is an ongoing challenge for the nation’s aviation enterprise. The needs of additional security to address the threats posed to airports and aircraft have had an impact on the operation of the nation’s aviation system. The Transportation Security Agency (TSA) spent $5.6 billion on aviation security in 2015; this does not include the financial burden on airports to accommodate security requirements.
The cost of additional security is measured not just in terms of the direct cost of security personnel, but also in terms of the foot print and additional infrastructure needed. Security measures also include hidden costs, such as the additional time spent by passengers undergoing security procedures, up to and including missed flights.
Airports are a critical component to the movement of goods and people and must be resilient in the event of catastrophic events, be it weather, man-made, or other events. Airports often serve as a gateway to urgent relief supplies during large events and are interdependent on other forms of transportation to work efficiently.
Back to Aviation
