Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) President and CEO Kevin M. Burke released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a twelve-month delay in the implementation of REAL ID travel identification requirements, until Oct. 1, 2021. REAL ID implementation was set to begin on Oct. 1, but was postponed in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) global health pandemic.
“We are encouraged by the Department of Homeland Security’s recognition of the need to extend the deadline during the current coronavirus pandemic,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “With many departments of motor vehicles closed to the public, it was prudent to postpone implementation ahead of the October 1, 2020, deadline. As we think about moving forward, the health of the aviation system must be considered when establishing the deadline for implementation of REAL ID. Given the unprecedented nature of the coronavirus pandemic and its impacts on air travel and airport and TSA operations, we urge DHS to be flexible in evaluating additional potential adjustments to the deadline. We remain committed to working with the DHS on implementing REAL ID at the appropriate time.”
