TSA launching TSA Gold program at US airports. What is it?

(NEXSTAR) – A recently announced initiative spearheaded by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is hoping to privatize security at an increasing number of airports in the coming years.

TSA Gold (or TSA Gold-plus) is a newly launched program that would allow airports to opt into a “public-private partnership” to handle the security and screening duties that TSA officers often conduct at the nation’s airport facilities. TSA says the program will allow private security firms to “tailor” security operations to each airport, while still complying with the TSA’s “robust federal security standards.”

A website for the TSA Gold program claims the initiative was launched to help deal with “rising travel volumes” and “evolving threats.” But the site also makes it clear that security at TSA Gold airports, which will be handled by private security firms, would be unaffected by “lengthy federal budget cycles.”

“Through strong public-private partnerships, TSA Gold will unlock innovation, expand screening capacity, and achieve world-class security and customer experience,” a website outlining the program says.

Though it wasn’t explicitly stated, the website’s reference to airports relying on “lengthy federal budget cycles” has also been interpreted as a suggestion that private security at TSA Gold airports would be unaffected by government shutdowns. The most recent shutdown, a partial one in early 2026,........

© The Hill