The Transportation Security Administration screened more than a half million airline passengers on Thursday for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic hit.
CNN reported 502,209 people were screened at TSA checkpoints. However, it pointed out that the number is nearly 19% of the 2.7 million the agency screened on the same Thursday in 2019.
Still, it is a marked increase from the less than 100,000 daily travelers in mid-April.
CNN reported that the average departure carries 57 passengers, compared to the 20 passengers reported at the low point of the pandemic. It attributed the information to Airlines for America, which represents the major U.S. carriers.
Together, U.S. airlines were losing about $10 billion a month as passengers canceled their flights due to the coronavirus and opted for refunds.
Meanwhile, CNN reported the TSA started to require its employees to wear facial protection in May and ordered new procedures that help officers avoid handling travelers’ belongings.
In addition, some airlines have committed to screening passengers’ temperatures before allowing them to board.
Jeffrey Rodack ✉
Jeffrey Rodack, who has nearly a half century in news as a senior editor and city editor for national and local publications, has covered politics for Newsmax for nearly seven years.
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