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TSA Resumes Fees for Expedited Screening Services

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2026/ .. sumes-fees-for-expedited-screening-services.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, February 2nd 2026 at 10:57 GMT by WLAX La Crosse
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Washington D.C. - February 2nd, 2026 - After a period of suspension, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has officially resumed collecting passenger fees for certain screening services, effective February 1st, 2026. The move, mandated by legislation passed in 2010, is already impacting travelers across the nation, prompting questions and concerns about the rising cost of air travel.

The fees apply to passengers who choose to utilize enhanced screening options beyond standard security procedures. These include services like TSA PreCheck, expedited screening lanes, and increasingly, biometric technology utilized for identity verification and passenger flow optimization at select airports. The cost of these services varies, ranging from a modest $5 to as high as $24 per passenger, per instance of use. This means frequent travelers opting for these expedited methods could see a significant increase in their overall travel expenses.

A Decade-Old Law Resurfaces

The reintroduction of these fees stems from a provision within a 2010 law designed to partially offset the costs associated with maintaining and improving the nation's aviation security infrastructure. The law initially authorized the TSA to charge fees for certain enhanced services. However, these fees were temporarily suspended in subsequent years, largely due to a combination of factors including low travel volume during periods of economic downturn and evolving security priorities. Now, with travel demand consistently high and security technology advancing, the stipulations of the original 2010 law have been triggered once again.

"The resumption of these fees is a direct result of the law passed over a decade ago," explained a TSA spokesperson. "While we understand the potential impact on travelers, the funds generated will be reinvested back into improving our security measures and streamlining the passenger experience."

What Does This Mean for Travelers? The immediate impact is felt by those who regularly opt for expedited screening. TSA PreCheck members, who currently pay an application fee for background checks and a renewal fee, will not see a change to those costs. However, the resumed fees will apply each time they utilize the PreCheck lanes. Similarly, passengers utilizing dedicated expedited screening lanes at airports, even without PreCheck membership, will be subject to the per-use charge. The implementation of biometric technology, while still in its early stages at many airports, will also carry a fee for those choosing to participate.

Biometric Technology and Future Fees

The increasing adoption of biometric technology - including facial recognition and fingerprint scanning - represents a significant shift in airport security. While proponents argue these technologies enhance security and speed up the screening process, the associated fees have sparked debate. The TSA is currently piloting various biometric programs at several major airports. The agency believes that biometric identification can ultimately improve security effectiveness and reduce wait times. However, privacy concerns surrounding biometric data collection have also been raised by civil liberties groups, and the added cost could deter some passengers from participating.

Impact on Travel Costs

The reintroduction of these fees comes at a time when air travel costs are already elevated, due to factors such as increased fuel prices and demand. Critics argue that adding another layer of fees will further burden travelers and could potentially discourage leisure travel. The American Travel Association has expressed concerns about the impact on the tourism industry, suggesting that the fees could disproportionately affect families and budget-conscious travelers.

"We are concerned that these additional fees will make air travel even less accessible for many Americans," stated a representative for the American Travel Association. "While we support efforts to maintain strong security measures, we believe there are alternative funding mechanisms that would not place an additional financial burden on passengers."

The TSA maintains that it is committed to providing a range of screening options to meet diverse traveler needs and budgets. Passengers who prefer standard security procedures will not be affected by the resumed fees. However, those seeking faster and more convenient screening will need to factor these additional costs into their travel planning.