OPINION:
Every commercial airline ticket purchased in the United States for the past two decades has been charged with a congressionally mandated security fee, currently set at $5.60 per one-way ticket.
The 9/11 Passenger Security Fee was created by Congress in the aftermath of one of the darkest days in our nation’s history to strengthen aviation security, modernize screening technology and support the men and women tasked with protecting the traveling public. Americans have paid a mandatory fee every time they purchase an airline ticket with the understanding that those dollars would help keep our skies safe, and in 2025 those fees generated $4.5 billion in revenue for the U.S. government.
For far too long, however, the original intent for these fees has not matched reality.
Since 2014, billions of dollars collected from passengers have been diverted away from aviation security to other areas of federal spending. Regardless of the merits of those programs, this practice raises a fundamental issue of trust. Americans deserve honesty and accountability from their government. When Congress imposes a fee with the agreement that it will help strengthen airport and airline security, those dollars should be dedicated to that purpose. This practice of diverting funds weakens public confidence, increases strain on the aviation workforce and delays investment into critical security infrastructure and technology.
That is why I introduced the Spending Aviation Fees for Equipment, Guaranteeing Upgraded and Advanced Risk Detection and Safety (SAFEGUARDS) Act, bipartisan legislation that would return much of the passenger security fees to their intended purpose of improving aviation security and bolstering the safety and efficiency of U.S. air travel. By returning this fee to its original intent, the Transportation Security Administration would be able to invest in modernized screening equipment, improve detection capabilities and strengthen the system responsible for safeguarding millions of travelers every day.
The TSA screens millions of passengers and their luggage daily — providing services at 2,400 security lanes at the nation’s 420 airports. Investing in airport security modernization would have tangible benefits for travelers. Shortened wait times, improved security checkpoint experiences and strengthened threat detection capabilities all contribute to bolstering a system to work better for the traveling public.
However, the issue is not simply about convenience at the airport. Aviation connects communities, supports jobs and enables businesses to operate and grow. When our security infrastructure falls behind, the consequences extend beyond inconvenience. Delays and inefficiencies create real costs for passengers, airlines and the broader economy. Secure and efficient air travel is critical to our nation’s economy and national security.
As airline travel continues to hit record highs, many airports, particularly in rural communities, face challenges to meet growing needs with limited resources. Making certain aviation security funding remains consistent will enable airports and federal agencies to better plan for the future.
This effort has brought together support from both sides of the aisle. Aviation safety has never been a partisan issue it is a shared national responsibility. Americans expect their government to focus on practical solutions that keep them safe while respecting how their money is used. The SAFEGUARDS Act reflects that expectation.
The United States has long maintained the safest aviation system in the world because we have never been willing to take that safety for granted. The lessons of September 11 remind us that vigilance is necessary and that investments in security cannot be delayed or ignored. As technology adapts, passenger volumes grow and threats continue to evolve, Congress must make certain that the resources dedicated to aviation safety are protected and properly utilized.
Every passenger who boards a flight should have confidence that their security comes first. Every taxpayer should know that the fees they pay are being used honestly and effectively. And communities that rely on the aviation industry should know that Congress is committed to strengthening the infrastructure and security systems that keep America connected.
The SAFEGUARDS Act is a straightforward, bipartisan step towards that goal. It honors the commitment we made to travelers and makes certain that our aviation system remains capable of meeting the challenges ahead. I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation.
• Sen. Jerry Moran is the senior U.S. Senator from Kansas. He chairs the Aviation, Space and Innovation subcommittee of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
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