The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced the agency has screened over two million travellers through the TSA Pre√ pre-screening initiative. TSA Pre√ is currently available for US citizens travelling in the United States who are members of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) trusted traveller programmes and select frequent travellers of participating airlines at many of the busiest airports across the country.

TSA Pre√ allows passengers to volunteer information about themselves prior to travelling domestically to expedite their checkpoint screening at participating airports. The initiative is part of the agency’s broader effort to implement risk-based concepts that enhance aviation security by focusing more on travellers the agency knows the least about and allowing known travellers the opportunity to expedite their travel through security checkpoints.

“As TSA Pre√ continues to expand to additional airports and passenger populations, we are seeing exponential growth in participation,” said TSA Administrator John S. Pistole. “We are on track to bring TSA Pre√ to 35 airports by the end of 2012 and even more next year.”

TSA Pre√ is available at 19 airports and operational with five airlines, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways. TSA will continue to add more airports and airlines to the highly acclaimed programme.

Eligible passengers include US citizens of frequent traveller programmes on participating airlines and current members of CBP Trusted Traveller programmes, including Global Entry, SENTRI and NEXUS. Individuals interested in participating can apply by visiting www.globalentry.gov.

As part of TSA’s broader risk-based security effort, TSA is in the process of testing and implementing several new screeningconcepts, which include an expedited screening programme for flight crews, expanded behaviour detection techniques, modified screening procedures for travellers 12 and younger and 75 and older, and expanding TSA Pre√ screening benefits to US military active duty members.