Trump Admin Plans New $18 Fee For Airline Passengers

By Sam StevensonShareNewsweek is a Trust Project member

Passengers who arrive at airport security checkpoints without a valid government-issued ID could face an $18 fee under new Trump administration plans.

A new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rule aims to offset the costs of new biometric verification systems as part of the national transition to stricter ID standards.

A TSA spokesperson told Newsweek: “This notice serves as a next step in the process in REAL ID compliance, which was signed into law more than 20 years ago and finally implemented by Secretary Noem as of May 2025.

“TSA is working with stakeholders and partners to ensure both security and efficiency at our checkpoints. Additional guidance will be announced in the coming days.”

Why It Matters

The fee would affect domestic travelers in the United States and signals a broader move toward enhanced security measures at U.S. airports, with significant implications for travel efficiency, privacy, and regulatory policy.

Although the proposed rule's rollout date has not been confirmed, it has prompted concerns about potential delays, especially as peak holiday season approaches.

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What To Know

According to the official Federal Register notice, travelers passing through airport security without a REAL ID, passport, or alternative approved identification will face the $18 non-refundable fee at TSA checkpoints.

The rule came into effect on Thursday, with collection starting after TSA announces the program’s availability, according to the notice in the Federal Register.

The fee will support the roll-out of a biometric verification program meant to speed up and modernize the identity confirmation process.

Upon paying the $18 charge, passengers would be able to access TSA checkpoints for up to 10 days after payment, replacing more time-intensive, manual identity screenings.

Under new federal rules, effective since May 2025, travelers are required to present a government-issued REAL ID, compliant driver's license, learner’s permit, or passport to board domestic flights.

These requirements stem from the 2005 REAL ID Act, which was brought in after recommendations from the 9/11 Commission but has seen multiple delays in enforcement, most recently due to pandemic-driven disruptions.

The enhanced security standards were designed to make identity verification more reliable and reduce threats posed by fraudulent documents.

The TSA emphasizes that its modernized biometric identity kiosk does not guarantee entry should the verification fail.

What People Are Saying

Daniel Green, co-founder of Faye Travel Insurance, told CBS News: "For years, they've been saying either get a Real ID or a passport or don't travel. So the idea that you can pay $18 and potentially travel anyway isn't so unreasonable."

Sarah Silbert, a strategist at the flight search engine Points Path, told CBS News: "The fact that TSA is floating an identity-verification fee suggests things are tightening. If you haven't updated your ID yet, it's smart to take care of it soon, especially with peak travel season adding extra stress for everyone."

What Happens Next

The proposed $18 fee is now open to public comment, and its implementation date has not yet been set.

Further guidance on the rollout date and specifics of registering for the alternative identification program will be announced on the TSA website, the agency said.

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