“Abolish the TSA” has long been a rallying cry among those concerned about privacy issues, as well as those who feel that airport security is not handled properly.
While the TSA screens over 2 million passengers daily, and has done a great job of catching firearms, knives, and a whole host of other risky items, there are a good number of people – including some lawmakers – who are not a fan of the government agency.
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In fact, several senators recently introduced the Abolish the TSA Act to wipe it out and shift the authority to private solutions that “are more targeted, streamlined, and where appropriate, accountable to limited government oversight.”
Now, however, it is not just senators who are getting in on the Act.
The TSA itself – or at least some of those in charge of it – is hinting that the agency may want to get the government out of the airport security business and shift to private companies doing some or all of the work.
Does the TSA want to hand security over to the private sector?
If you’re looking for evidence that the TSA itself may want the government out of the airport security business, you don’t have to look hard to find it.
The headline of a July 25, 2025, press release from the Transportation Security Administration says it all: “TSA seeks private sector solutions to enhance airport security and passenger experience.”
The TSA shared in the release that the agency “recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the development and deployment of turnkey solutions for use at airport security checkpoints.”
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This Request “supports TSA’s strategic goal to identify innovative, technology-driven solutions that strengthen aviation security and enhance the overall passenger experience.”
The release emphasizes that the TSA is specifically seeking “turnkey models,” referring to an arrangement where the provider handles all aspects of the job. And the TSA envisions a private-sector provider.
“TSA is constantly looking for innovative private-sector solutions to enhance security and improve the passenger experience at TSA checkpoints,” said TSA Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill. “This effort will continue to drive a golden age of travel for future innovations by allowing private-sector organizations to submit ideas or solutions that will help make airport screening faster, more secure, and easier on the traveling public.”
The TSA wants a private-sector solution to improve the airport security process
According to the TSA’s press release, the agency is hoping to find a private company with solutions to make airport security more effective, reduce workforce requirements and operating costs, and improve the passenger experience.
The private-sector company would be expected to fully comply with the performance standard set by the TSA and would be subject to oversight by regulators, with proposed solutions required to meet the agency’s high security standards. The solutions would also be expected to reduce wait times substantially.
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The request for proposals also offers some hints into how the turnkey operator may be able to accomplish this, including incorporating AI to detect threats, automating the screening process, and even using automation or robotics to handle screening.
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Submissions to the TSA are due in August, so there is not a long timeline for private-sector companies to submit proposals.
If good solutions are proposed, the TSA may look to quickly turn over as many of the tasks of airport security as possible to an appropriate partner.
