The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is phasing out its “Gold+” privatized airport security screening program and replacing it with an approach built on existing TSA partnerships. TSA says the change will move away from the Gold+ model that would have involved private screening operations at U.S. airports.
TSA presents the update as part of its “Horizon 25 Strategy,” announced to coincide with the agency’s 25th anniversary, and frames it as a shift toward modernizing operations while refining how airports are supported. Instead of expanding Gold+, TSA plans to optimize its existing Screening Partnership Program (SPP), which is already used to involve private contractors in some airport screening work under TSA oversight.
While outlets agree on the core decision to drop Gold+, coverage varies in emphasis. Simple Flying highlights that the Gold+ plan is being scaled back and rebranded, while also noting broader trends toward privatization in airport security. The Hill and The Oregonian both focus on TSA’s stated plan to use the SPP rather than Gold+ as the primary mechanism moving forward.
