GIAA welcomes future role in new TSA program to ease travel woes in the region
BY MAUREEN N. MARATITA
Journal Staff
For every passenger from Guam to the U.S. mainland who has had to haul their luggage around the Daniel K. Inoue International Airport in Hawaii while in transit, there is hope.
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration is launching the One-Stop Security program, which eliminates duplicate inspections within its airport security system.
Guam passengers pass through TSA inspections when departing the A.B. Won Pat International Airport, Guam and then again when departing Hawaii for the U.S. mainland.
A.B. Won Pat International Airport. Journal Files
Similarly, passengers arriving on United Airlines from Palau also are required to clear TSA in Guam for onward flights.
The One-Stop Security program would see passengers still pass U.S. Customs and Border Protection for passport control but won’t require them to pass through a second TSA check, or handle checked bags during a connection.
One Stop Security applies only on designated airport/terminal pairs and flights listed by participating airlines. It is now in use on London Heathrow arrivals to Dallas Fort Worth on American Airlines, with Delta Airlines flights to Atlanta likely next.
Only partner airports that pass audits and maintain TSA equivalent procedures can be part of the program.
The Journal reached out to Guam’s airport authority and received the following reply.
“The GIAA welcomes any program that can improve the passenger experience on arrival and make it more seamless and efficient. The TSA “One Stop Security” pilot program appears to do just that.
“If any foreign airports in our key Asian markets or throughout our region are recognized by TSA as meeting their security screening standards under this program, the GIAA would be a great U.S. airport for consideration in participating in the federal pilot program.
“As this is a new federal program, governed by TSA, we respectfully defer all inquiries to TSA on its status, but the GIAA will continue to work in collaboration with its regulatory and airline partners to support initiatives that enhance security and the passenger experience.”
Geoffrey Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, called One-Stop “a smart, long-overdue step toward modernizing the travel experience, eliminating redundant screening, cutting connection times and unlocking more international air service.”
Freeman also said, “Paired with stronger airport staffing, long-awaited air traffic control upgrades and the end of the shoe removal rule, this is real progress toward a world-class travel system just in time for America 250, the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.” mbj
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