Three More U.S. Airports Opt to Privatize their Airport Security

Airports in Florida, South Carolina and Iowa have signed onto a new initiative that will bring in private security workers to staff their security operations.

Tampa International Airport (TPA), Charleston International Airport (CHS) and Des Moines International Airport (DSM) will soon join a growing number of airports participating in TSA Gold+. Under the program, the Transportation Security Administration maintains oversight of security standards and operations, but private contractors handle screening duties instead of federal employees.

Currently, about 20 airports participate in the federal Screening Partnership Program (SPP), which allows them to contract private security firms for checkpoint staffing. Under SPP, the federal government still owns and manages the security infrastructure, including scanners, while private-sector employees staff the lines. Airports currently in that program include San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Kansas City International Airport (MCI).

Gold+ expands on that model by allowing participating airports to not only staff checkpoints with contract workers, but also deploy, and service privately owned screening technology. The TSA transitions to a purely regulatory role, ensuring private operators meet federal security thresholds rather than managing day-to-day staffing or equipment.

According to CBS News, the program will launch in January 2027 at the Des Moines airport, followed by February 2027 for Charleston, and May 2027 for Tampa.