TSA marks 25 years of change since 9/11

New York : The Transportation Security Administration is marking 25 years since its creation, reflecting on how airport security in the United States has changed dramatically since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks, prompting the US government to overhaul aviation security. President George W. Bush established the TSA through the Aviation and Transportation Security Act on November 19, 2001, transferring airport screening responsibilities from private contractors to a federal agency. The TSA became part of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003.

From a newly assembled screening workforce, the agency has developed into a technology-driven security organization. Its tools now include computed tomography scanners, advanced imaging systems, credential authentication and facial comparison technology. TSA PreCheck also allows vetted travelers to use dedicated screening lanes.

The agency's latest modernization strategy, Horizon 25, focuses on making security operations more adaptable through technology and public-private cooperation. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has described the goal as creating an agency that is "agile, resilient and ready."

The TSA's capabilities were also tested during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when 78 of 104 matches were held in the US. Officials deployed additional canine teams alongside AI-supported screening, Touchless ID and advanced scanners to manage increased passenger volumes while maintaining security.

Flight attendant honored

Betty Ong, a flight attendant on American Airlines flight 11, was the first person to alert ground control on September 11 when she called from the plane to report a stabbing in Business Class and alarming silence from the cockpit.

The San Francisco Chinatown Recreation Center was renamed in her honor, after her family adopted it following the tragic events of 9/11.