TSA sets record over Memorial Day weekend

SALT LAKE CITY — The Transportation Security Administration, TSA, said it hit a new record on Friday for the number of people screened in a single day. According to the TSA, it screened 2,951,163 travelers nationwide as people kicked off their Memorial Day weekends.

“On Friday, May 24, 2,951,163 individuals were screened at checkpoints nationwide,” the TSA said in an X post.

Related: Memorial Day marks beginning of 100 deadliest days on Utah roads

According to the TSA, this beat a record previously set on Nov. 26 last year.

TSA Spokesperson Lisa Farbstein said in an X post that this number was the highest in its 22-year history.

BREAKING NEWS: If you flew yesterday, congratulations, you were part of a record-setting day! @TSA officers screened more people at airport security checkpoints nationwide yesterday (May 24th) than any other day in our 22-year history—2,951,163 individuals were screened! https://t.co/FGKq7N4WAL

— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) May 25, 2024

Ahead of the holiday weekend, the Salt Lake City Police Department said it expected that 30,000 people would fly out of the Salt Lake City International Airport on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

That’s a combined 60,000 travelers flying out.

In a statement, AAA said it expected to see 3.51 million people traveling by air nationwide over the holiday weekend. 

“This will be the most crowded Memorial Day weekend at airports since 2005, when 3.64 million flew for the holiday as the travel industry finally rebounded post 9/11,” AAA’s statement said.

KSL NewsRadio’s Peter Johnston contributed to the reporting of this story.

Related: In time for Memorial Day, volunteers plant flags to honor fallen Utah veterans

Follow @samanthagherr