The Transportation Security Administration of the United States (TSA) today announced the expansion of its TSA PreCheck programme with the addition of Spanish carrier Air Europa, Italian ITA Airways, Canadian Flair and Salvadorean Volaris El Salvador.
With the new agreement, customers of the four airlines boarding flights departing from the United States will be able to access the service if they meet a series of necessary conditions. Following the new additions, the programme now has 87 member airlines.
TSA PreCheck is an expedited screening programme that allows eligible passengers to undergo more efficient security screening. It is available at more than 200 airports nationwide. The system streamlines the screening process for travellers on domestic and international flights departing from the United States, as well as for passengers connecting to domestic flights after returning to the country. It is also available in Nassau, Bahamas.
American citizens and lawful permanent residents can apply for TSA PreCheck at a cost of 85 dollars for a five-year membership. Members of the programme can renew their seat online up to six months before it expires for a cost of 70 dollars for an additional five-year term.
Once a new applicant is approved, they receive a unique «Known Traveller Number» (KTN). When the number is added to a member airline’s itinerary booking, it makes the customer eligible to use the dedicated lanes at airports where the service is available.
Service members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including those serving in the Coast Guard, Reserves and National Guard, are also eligible for the programme.
See also: TSA to implement gender-neutral screening at airports
