TSA Considers Dropping Small Airport Screening

Passenger and baggage screening at Upper Peninsula airports could be eliminated, if a proposal being considered by the Transportation Safety Administration proceeds. CNN reports that funds would be cut for as many as 150 small airports across the country, including those in the U.P. The money saved would be used to bolster security at larger airports. Baggage that leaves airports such as Houghton County Memorial would be screened when it arrives at its destination. At Sawyer International Airport in Marquette, manager Duane Duray fears that could turn small facilities into terrorist targets. “The lack of a security baseline at a small local airport could increase potential attacks or events at airports which could have huge ramifications nationwide for how people view aviation travel again,” Duray said, adding that security concerns could cause local travelers to drive to larger airports, and threaten the viability of flights from the U.P.