Des Moines Airport Drops TSA Gold+ After Program Cancellation

The Des Moines Airport Authority has ended its investigation into the TSA Gold+ program following a decision by the Transportation Security Administration to discontinue the initiative. The airport began exploring the program in July to implement advanced security screening technology and improve the passenger experience at its new terminal, which is scheduled to open in 2027.

Under the Gold+ framework, private contractors would have managed passenger screening under federal oversight. This structure was intended to bypass slow federal procurement processes and ensure operational stability during government shutdowns. However, the proposal met opposition from the union representing TSA officers in Iowa and Nebraska, who raised concerns regarding employee benefits and job retention.

The TSA is replacing Gold+ with an updated version of its existing Screening Partnership Program. Brian Mulcahy, CEO of the Des Moines Airport Authority, stated that the airport will continue to collaborate with the TSA to acquire updated screening technology as it becomes available.