Daytona Beach International Airport to offer TSA PreCheck enrollment event
Flyers looking to join the Transportation Security Administration’s Precheck program can make a one-stop-shop of the whole process at an enrollment event taking place later this month at Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB).
Airlines, cruise lines and hotel stocks fall on virus fears
Air travel in the United States hit another pandemic-era record over the weekend as vacationers jammed airports, but shares of airlines, cruise lines, hotels and almost anything else related to travel are tumbling on growing concerns about highly contagious variants of coronavirus.
Travel spikes with new pandemic-era air travel record, TSA says
All rights reserved)Travelers stand in line at a TSA security checkpoint at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in Austin, Texas. Temperatures dropped into the single digits this week as snow shut down air travel and grocery stores. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)Anyone who has flown recently is in good company as Sunday set a new record with the highest number of air travelers since the coronavirus pandemic began. AdClose to 10 million people have flown in the last week as spring break continues for students across the nation. The trend is worrying health experts because only 15.5% of the population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
US air travel rises to highest levels yet since pandemic hit
(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)Across the United States, air travel is recovering more quickly from the depths of the pandemic, and it is showing up in longer airport security lines and busier traffic on airline websites. "Our last three weeks have been the best three weeks since the pandemic hit, and each week has been better than the one prior,” American Airlines CEO Doug Parker said Monday. However, the airlines still have far to go before travel fully returns to pre-pandemic levels. Since the pandemic hit, air travel has picked up a few times — mostly around holidays — only to drop back down. The airline said people are booking leisure trips to beach and mountain destinations but business travel is still lagging.
The Latest: All Duke University undergrads must quarantine
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke University issued a quarantine order for all of its undergraduates effective Saturday night due to a coronavirus outbreak caused by students who attended recruitment parties, the school said. The university said in a statement that all undergraduate students will be forced to stay-in-place until at least March 21. Suspension or dismissal from the school are potential punishments for “flagrant or repeat violators.”Over the past week, the school has reported more than 180 positive coronavirus cases among students. AdItaly has now tallied some 3.2 million cases in the pandemic. The COVAX alliance aims to share COVID-19 vaccines with more than 90 lower and middle-income nations.
Air travel saw spike over past weekend, data shows
FILE - In this June 10, 2020 file photo, Transportation Security Administration agents process passengers at the south security checkpoint at Denver International Airport in Denver. Federal safety officials are investigating people who took part in last week's riot at the U.S. Capitol to decide whether they belong on the federal no-fly list. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)Air travel had its busiest weekend in more than a month. Transportation Security Administration data shows more than 4 million people have passed through airport security since Thursday. AdAirlines have been concerned the CDC might mandate a negative COVID-19 test before any travel, but the agency says it is not considering that at this time.
TSA looking into adding Capitol rioters to US no-fly list
Federal safety officials are investigating people who took part in last week's riot at the U.S. Capitol to decide whether they belong on the federal no-fly list. The assessments are one of several steps federal agencies are taking to increase security before President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration next week. The assessments could result in rioters being added to the federal no-fly list, the person said. The FBI said earlier this week it was considering adding Capitol rioters to the federal no-fly list but stopped short of saying that individuals were being scrutinized. Airlines and Washington-area airports also have promised tighter security after last week’s riot at the Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump.
VIRUS TODAY: Huge study on another COVID vaccine is underway
Administrative worker Sander Edmondson, left, hands a COVID-19 testing kit to a woman at a testing site in Los Angeles, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Here’s what’s happening Monday with the pandemic in the U.S.:THREE THINGS TO KNOW TODAY— A huge study of another COVID-19 vaccine candidate is getting underway Monday as states continue to roll out scarce supplies of the nation’s first shots. Some 30,000 volunteers are needed to prove if this vaccine — a different kind than its Pfizer and Moderna competitors — really works and is safe. — Homicides in Detroit, New York, Philadelphia and other U.S. cities have topped 2019 numbers as violence surged during the coronavirus pandemic. ___Find AP’s full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
The Latest: China tests millions in port over virus cluster
(AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)BEIJING — Authorities in China’s northeastern port city of Dalian are testing millions of residents after seven new coronavirus cases were reported there in the last 24 hours. It has a deal to secure up to 100 million doses of the potential vaccine produced by AstraZeneca. Koca said the first shipment of three million doses of CoronaVac would be shipped to Turkey on Sunday and arrive Monday. He said Turkey could get 4.5 million doses until the end of March and would have the option buy up to 30 million doses. Indonesia has reported nearly 700,000 COVID-19 cases, the largest caseload in Southeast Asia and second in Asia only to India’s 10.1 million confirmed cases.
‘Life is precious:’ TSA officer helps save unresponsive traveler at Orlando airport
ORLANDO, Fla. – A Transportation Security Administration officer cut his coffee break short recently to help save a passenger who was found unresponsive at Orlando International Airport. Soon thereafter a Delta employee who is a certified first responder joined Ordenana in performing life-saving measures. “Although I do not know this man, never met this man before, I had tremendous compassion and empathy for him. “A single act of kindness throws roots in all directions and the roots spring up and make new trees,” he said. A single and simple act of kindness can make someone’s day and the power to change someone’s life.
Holiday air travel surges despite dire health warnings
The Transportation Security Administration screened at least 1 million people on four of the last 10 days through Sunday. That's still half the crowd recorded last year at airports, when more than 2 million people were counted per day. With new reported cases of coronavirus spiking across the country, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had issued a warning against Thanksgiving travel just a week before the holiday. It's unclear whether the pleas of experts like Fauci had any effect on travel and large gatherings at Thanksgiving. On Monday, JetBlue Airways said “booking trends remain volatile,” and a recovery in travel demand will be uneven into next year.
Airline passenger traffic hits 6-month high in US
ORLANDO, Fla. – It appears Americans are starting to travel again after the coronavirus pandemic ravaged the industry. The Transportation Security Administration said airport passenger has hit a six-month high. According to the agency, more than 984,000 people passed through U.S. checkpoints on Sunday. That is significantly low, however, compared to the 2.5 million travelers reported on the same day in 2019. The TSA says checkpoint traffic hit its low on April 14. when 87,000 travelers passed through U.S. checkpoints.
Gun, ammo found in passenger’s bag at Orlando International Airport
Published: September 24, 2020, 7:38 am Updated: September 24, 2020, 7:47 amORLANDO, Fla. – A passenger is facing charges after deputies say he tried to sneak a gun through a security checkpoint at Orlando International Airport. Investigators say German Espinosa, 29, was carrying a backpack with a 9mm firearm and several bullets inside it. Deputies say a airport security screener made the discovery after putting Epinosa’s bag through an X-ray machine. Investigators say Espinosa did not have a permit to carry a concealed firearm. Espinosa was booked into the Orange County Jail and has since been released.
TSA reports its busiest travel day since March over Labor Day weekend
(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)It was a busy holiday weekend for air travel. The Transportation Security Administration says it screened almost a million people on Friday, a record high since the pandemic began. In comparison, they saw double that number the year before. The TSA say they saw less people on Saturday, only about half a million people traveled that day.
Air traffic is down, gun seizures up at US airports
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)With air traffic nearing a five-month high, airport security is finding guns in passenger carry-on bags at three times the rate recorded before the pandemic. There has been a significant increase in loaded guns at checkpoints, said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. Last year, 4,432 guns were found in carry-on bags, or about 12.1 per day, and 87% were loaded. TSA's public appeal to follow gun rules came the same day that it reported screening 831,789 people on Sunday. It was the first time checkpoint traffic in U.S. airports has topped 800,000 since March 17.
Reports: TSA insider faults agency's response to coronavirus
The top TSA official in Kansas, Jay Brainard, says the TSAs actions amount to gross mismanagement." The special counsel has ordered TSA's parent agency, the Homeland Security Department, to conduct an investigation. Brainard filed his whistleblower complaint on June 3, and the special counsel on Thursday ordered the Homeland Security Department to investigate the allegations. By law, the special counsel only takes that step when it believes there is a substantial likelihood of wrongdoing. The special counsel will review Homeland Securitys findings and issue a report to the White House and Congress.
OIA executive provides clarity after governors COVID-19 statement on airport workers
ORLANDO, Fla. Chief Executive Phil Brown released a statement Wednesday saying the governors statement noting 260 workers test positive for COVID-19 at Orlando International Airport is incorrect. Ron DeSantis said those workers tested positive for the coronavirus after nearly 500 employees were tested. [RELATED: 260 workers test positive for COVID-19 at Orlando International Airport, governor says]According to Browns statement, of the 500 airport workers tested for coronavirus, only two had positive results. Another 128 people that tested positive were not airport employees but were traceable connections to the workers that tested positive for COVID-19. For clarification, the two figures together mean 260 people tested positive for COVID-19 had some connection to OIA whether a visitor, traveler or worker.
Report details how woman without ticket boarded Delta flight at Orlando airport
She then boarded a Delta flight bound for Atlanta by pretending to be a wheelchair passenger, according to a TSA report. That morning, the woman presented a JetBlue baggage receipt to a TSA agent checking boarding passes and IDs at the east terminal entrance. She lined up with wheelchair passengers during the pre-boarding process and went around them when the gate agent scanned their boarding passes. She entered the jet bridge and a gate agent asked if she'd been scanned, the report said. I assumed she was with the wheelchair passenger and then allowed her to board," the gate agent told investigators.
TSA officers intercept 2 guns at Orlando airport, 12 state-wide in 9 day period
ORLANDO, Fla. It was a busy week across Florida for TSA officers who said they intercepted 12 guns state-wide in the last nine days. According to a news release, one gun was intercepted each day at the Orlando International Airport on both Wednesday and Thursday. Ten other guns were intercepted from passengers going through security checkpoints in Miami, Jacksonville, Ft. Lauderdale, Tamps, Panama City and Ft. Walton Beach. TSA officials said nine men and three women between the ages of 22 and 45, face a civil penalty from the agency that may exceed $13,000, regardless of whether they were arrested by local police. The diligence of our officers during these trying times exemplifies their dedication to their mission to keep travelers safe every day of the year.
Businesses ramp up operations as nations prep for tourists
Five restaurants continue to operate with enhanced off-premise service only, while nine restaurants remain temporarily closed. Transactions at fast food restaurants were down 17% the week of May 24, while transactions at sit-down chains were down 49%. CENTRAL GOVERNMENTS & BANKS: Spains national statistics office said that it received zero international tourists in April. That compares with 7 million tourists that spent 7 billion euros ($7.8 billion) in Spain in the prior-year period. Istanbuls 15th century Grand Bazaar, museums, gyms, child care centers and nurseries, were among other venues allowed to resume operations.
Third TSA agent at Orlando airport tests positive for coronavirus
ORLANDO, Fla. – A third Transportation Security Administration agent working at Orlando International Airport has tested positive for coronavirus, TSA officials confirmed in a statement. The two agents tested positive after the first Orlando TSA agent became ill with the deadly virus. “TSA confirms today that two additional Transportation Security Officers who work at Orlando International Airport have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. [RELATED: Map shows which airports where TSA officers have tested positive for coronavirus]Only one of the two agents worked in the same area as the first agent who tested positive for COVID-19 last week. Across the country, 17 TSA agents have tested positive thus far, four of whom are in Florida.
Map shows which airports where TSA officers have tested positive for coronavirus
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Transportation Security Administration has posted a map of TSA officers who have tested positive for coronavirus. CLICK HERE FOR MAP OF TSA OFFICERS WHO HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUSAs of March 20, 15 different TSA officers have tested positive for coronavirus, according to TSA. Two Orlando airport TSA workers have tested positive. Two different screening officers at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport tested positive in March. Any employee or traveler who believes they may have been in contact with a TSA officer who tested positive should consult their healthcare provider.
TSA worker at Orlando International Airport tests positive for coronavirus
A Transportation Security Officer at Orlando International Airport has received an initial positive test for the coronavirus, according to a spokesperson with the Transportation Security Administration. They also said extensive cleaning has been done where that officer worked. "We have one officer who tested positive at [Orlando International Airport] and that they're doing everything they can to check and see who she worked with," she said. According to officials, the TSA worker was a screening officer at checkpoint West. A record 50 million passengers passed through Orlando International Airport in 2019 and each and every passenger has to make it through being checked at a security checkpoint.
Watchdog: More can be done to protect public areas in airports
ORLANDO, Fla. – A government watchdog agency has found airports nationwide have enhanced security in public areas such as ticket counters, baggage claims, and restaurants in recent years. But the U.S. Government Accountability Office believes more should be done to protect patrons before they pass through airport security checkpoints. The GAO examined security procedures in public areas of six airports including Orlando International Airport and Orlando Sanford International Airport. The study was conducted to assess actions taken by the Transportation Security Administration following two fatal shootings that occurred in public areas of airports. Enhanced law enforcement patrols and canine teams deployed throughout public areas to provide a visible deterrent against potential attacks.
TSA halts employees from using TikTok for social media posts
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Transportation Security Administration said Sunday it has stopped allowing employees to use the China-owned video app TikTok to create social media posts for the agency after the Senate’s top Democrat raised concerns about potential national security issues. Schumer also cited a Department of Homeland Security policy prohibiting TikTok on agency devices. He also noted in the letter that Chinese laws compel companies to cooperate with China’s government and intelligence collection. Over the past few months, the agency has posted a number of videos reshared on other social media platforms such as Twitter, which have amassed hundreds of thousands of views. The agency said it never directed viewers to TikTok or published content directly to the platform, despite videos reposted on other TSA social media accounts having the TikTok logo in the bottom of the screen.
Bad baby: High-capacity magazine found hidden in infant toy at Orlando airport, TSA says
ORLANDO, Fla. – Two Orlando International Airport travelers made the Transportation Security Administration’s weekly review of confiscated items and that’s not a good thing. Earlier this month, TSA agents discovered two high-capacity magazines hidden in a stuffed baby toy. “Officers called a bag check on the toy after undergoing X-ray screening,” according to the TSA post. “Thankfully, the ammunition was loaded backward.”TSA agents discovered this firearm during a pat down at the Orlando Airport security checkpoint. Between Nov. 4 and Nov. 17, agents discovered 205 firearms from passenger carry-on bags, 176 were loaded, according to TSA.
Flight attendant says he brought gun to Orlando airport by mistake, records show
ORLANDO, Fla. – A flight attendant arrested Thursday for bringing a gun through a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at Orlando International Airport told officers it was a mistake, records show. He was arrested on charges of carrying a concealed firearm and carrying a firearm in a place prohibited by law. Frontier Airlines officials said they suspended the flight attendant and were investigating the matter. “The safety and security of all passengers and crew members are uncompromising priorities at Frontier Airlines and we have a zero tolerance policy for any violation of law or security protocols,” Frontier Airlines said in a statement. According to TSA, this was the 81st gun found at the airport in 2019.