The Cost of TSA PreCheck Renewal Just Dropped

By Michelle Baran

10/07/2021

Photo by Shutterstock
TSA PreCheck is arguably worth it even without the price drop.

As a growing number of travelers head back to airports, those shorter TSA PreCheck security lines are sounding pretty good right about now.

Since this past June, the number of passengers traveling through the country’s airports has been topping 2 million per day again for the first time since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. As the number of fliers starts to approach prepandemic levels, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) hopes to help encourage enrollment in the TSA PreCheck program with a lower online renewal fee.

As of October 1, the cost to renew your TSA PreCheck membership online is $70, down from $85. The lower price only applies to online renewals; if you’re renewing in person or signing up for the expedited security screening program for the first time, PreCheck still costs $85. (The agency has reported that most people renew online anyway.)

At either price, many frequent fliers will attest that the five-year membership is worth its weight in gold. In September 2021, 96 percent of TSA PreCheck passengers waited fewer than five minutes—yes, five—to get through airport security. For anyone who has ever stood sweating and stressing in a longer line (we have all been there), the condensed wait time seems priceless.

Indeed, the agency’s fast-pass program gives its members access to shorter and quicker security lanes, where pre-screened travelers are not required to remove their shoes, belts, or light jackets or take their laptops and 3.4-ounce liquid containers out of their bags and backpacks (another major perk). Additionally, parents and guardians with TSA PreCheck membership can bring kids 12 and under through the TSA PreCheck lanes with them—a family-travel lifesaver.

Travelers who would like to enroll in the TSA PreCheck program can do so online or in person. They will then need to complete an in-person interview and provide fingerprints at an enrollment center, and once approved (following a background check), they will be assigned a Known Traveler Number (KTN) that confirms their TSA PreCheck status. Travelers can add the KTN when booking a flight, which will give them access to the TSA PreCheck lanes at more than 200 domestic and international airports throughout the United States.

When renewing TSA PreCheck enrollment, travelers may or may not be asked to conduct another interview—TSA will inform applicants if an interview is required for their renewal.

TSA’s Global Entry program, which expedites re-entry into the United States by clear travelers through customs faster and includes automatic enrollment in the PreCheck program, remains $100 for a five-year membership.

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全球航空业累计净亏损额将达2010亿美元

文 / 林煇智

10/07/2021

随着全球部分地区疫情有所改善、航空公司削减成本以及各国政府出台扶持政策，2021年和2022年全球航空业净亏损额有望分别收窄至518亿美元和116亿美元。（法新社）

（早报讯）国际航空运输协会（IATA）数据显示，受冠病疫情影响，2020年至2022年全球航空业累计净亏损额将达2010亿美元（2729亿新元）。

新华社报道，数据显示，2020年全球航空业净亏损约1377亿美元。随着全球部分地区疫情有所改善、航空公司削减成本以及各国政府出台扶持政策，2021年和2022年全球航空业净亏损额有望分别收窄至518亿美元和116亿美元。

数据还显示，今明两年全球航空业总体需求有望稳步复苏，分别达到2019年水平的40%和61%。其中，今明两年航空客运总量将分别达到23亿人次和34亿人次，仍低于2019年的45亿人次。

航空货运需求则继续保持强劲，今明两年将分别较2019年水平高出7.9%和13.2%。

国际航空运输协会理事长沃尔什表示，疫情对全球航空业冲击巨大。航空公司被迫削减成本并调整业务，在各国政府的财政支持下渡过难关。但由于各国政府相关旅行限制措施尚未取消，国际旅游市场严重低迷，航空业复苏仍面临严峻形势。

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Global airlines’ net losses expected at $11.6 bn in 2022: IATA

Association pointed out that challenge remains in international markets, which are still severely depressed as government-imposed restrictions continue

By IANS

10/07/2021

New Delhi: Air carriers’ association IATA said on Monday that the global net aviation industry losses are expected to come in at $11.6 billion in 2022, down from $51.8 billion on a year-on-year basis.

“The magnitude of the Covid-19 crisis for airlines is enormous. Over the 2020-2022 period, total losses could top $200 billion. To survive, the airlines have dramatically cut costs and adapted their business to whatever opportunities were available,” said IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh.

“That will see the $137.7 billion loss of 2020 reduce to $52 billion this year. And that will further reduce to $12 billion in 2022. We are well past the deepest point of the crisis. While serious issues remain, the path to recovery is coming into view. Aviation is demonstrating its resilience yet again,” Walsh added.

According to IATA, domestic travel demand will near pre-crisis levels in 2022.

However, the association pointed out that challenge remains in international markets, which are still severely depressed as government-imposed restrictions continue.

“People have not lost their desire to travel as we see in solid domestic market resilience. But they are being held back from international travel by restrictions, uncertainty and complexity. More governments are seeing vaccinations as a way out of this crisis.

“We fully agree that vaccinated people should not have their freedom of movement limited in any way. In fact, the freedom to travel is a good incentive for more people to be vaccinated. Governments must work together and do everything in their power to ensure that vaccines are available to anybody who wants them,” Walsh added.

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