U.S. Controls a Record 3.13 Million Airline Passengers on Sunday

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2 months ago

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recorded its highest single-day passenger volume on Sunday: 3.13 million travelers passed through its checkpoints. This is an unprecedented number, surpassing the previous record set on June 22 when 3.09 million passengers were screened. This occurred during the peak of Thanksgiving travel, despite challenging weather conditions in the Midwest.

A Holiday Period Breaking the Trend

The travel season showed remarkable momentum. According to Airlines for America, U.S. airlines expected to transport 31 million passengers during the 11-day period ending Monday. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) projected over 360,000 flights in the nine days ending December 2, the highest volume in 15 years.

Prior to 2024, TSA had only surpassed the 3-million passenger mark on two occasions. However, in 2025 it had already exceeded that number on eight separate days, reflecting sustained and growing demand.

Technical Adjustments During Peak Season

The surge in travelers coincided with an operational challenge for several U.S. airlines: a mandatory software modification order issued by Airbus for A320 models. The requirement, compulsory for operators globally, followed a recent incident on a JetBlue flight related to system vulnerability during solar flares.

A Year-End that Sets a Trend

The holiday weekend record paints a clear picture: U.S. air travel demand has not only recovered but has strengthened. Passenger numbers, flight counts, and operational staffing anticipate a year-end that solidifies the sector’s growth and confirms the need to continue expanding capacity to handle increasingly intense traffic.