Three U.S. Airports Adopt Gold+ Privatized Security Screening Program

In early 2027, Tampa International Airport, Des Moines International Airport and Charleston International Airport will join the Gold+ program, a federal initiative that transfers daily security screening duties to private contractors while the Transportation Security Administration retains regulatory oversight.

The rollout follows an existing pilot in 20 airports, with transition dates set for January 2027 at Des Moines, February 2027 at Charleston and May 2027 at Tampa. Union leaders representing roughly 47,000 TSA agents warned the shift could jeopardize safety and urged input from Congress and the public. The Trump administration promotes the move as a cost‑saving measure tied to the previous government shutdown.