Tampa International Airport Withdraws from TSA Gold+ Program Amidst Concerns
Tampa International Airport has decided to withdraw from the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Gold+ program, which would have privatized airport security personnel and equipment. This decision follows backlash from local officials, union leaders, and members of Congress who expressed concerns…
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, August 24, 2026 —
Tampa International Airport has officially withdrawn from the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Gold+ program, a pilot initiative that proposed privatizing airport security operations.
The decision by Tampa International Airport to step away from the Gold+ program came after significant opposition from various stakeholders. Local officials, union leaders, and members of Congress had raised alarms regarding the potential implications of privatizing airport security, citing concerns over public safety and the responsible use of taxpayer funds.
The TSA has also announced its own decision to discontinue the Gold+ program. Instead, the agency is pivoting to a new strategy, dubbed the “Horizon 25 Strategy,” which aims to modernize and enhance airport security measures moving forward.
Details regarding the specific security personnel and equipment that would have been involved in the Gold+ program at Tampa International Airport were not provided. The timeline for the airport’s withdrawal and the specific reasons cited by the airport authority beyond general backlash were also not detailed.
The TSA’s shift from the Gold+ program to the Horizon 25 Strategy indicates a broader reevaluation of how the agency plans to address future security needs and technological advancements within the aviation sector. Further information on the scope and implementation of the Horizon 25 Strategy is expected from the TSA.
Story summarized from the original created by By Lizzy Alspach, Times staff on www.tampabay.com, see more information here.
