The U.S. Transportation Security Administration set a new record by screening 2.99 million airline passengers in a single day. They expect to screen over 32 million travelers during the 2024 Independence Day travel period, 5.4% higher than last year. The upcoming busy holiday period is expected to see over 3 million screenings on Friday, with seven of the 10 busiest travel days ever happening in the past month. Major U.S. airlines are anticipating a record summer travel season with an expected 271 million passengers, reflecting a 6.3% increase from last year. Despite this optimism, the Federal Aviation Administration is facing challenges with a shortage of air traffic controllers, which could lead to congestion, delays, and cancellations at busy New York City-area airports. The FAA has extended cuts to minimum flight requirements through October 2025, allowing airlines to retain slots even if they reduce flights due to staffing shortages. Airlines anticipate flying more than 26,000 daily flights this summer, a 5.6% increase over last year.