25,000 Airport Breaches Since 2001

More than 25,000 security breaches an average of about seven per day have occurred at U.S. airports since November 2001, according to newly released Department of Homeland Security documents.

More than 14,000 were people entering "limited access" areas by going through airport doors or passageways without permission, or unauthorized people going from airport buildings to planes, according to the documents to be presented at a House subcommittee hearing today.

The documents, obtained in advance by USA TODAY, don't provide details about the security breaches or whether any could have led to potential attacks on planes or passengers.

The total number of infractions is small when compared with the large volume of traffic at the USA's 450 major airports, which have served more than 5.5 billion fliers since 2001. Critics say there is still reason to worry.

"It's clear the airports are not secure," says Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, Homeland Defense and Foreign Operations. "For all the money, time and persistence we have thrown at airport security, it's a real mess."

Transportation Security Administration spokesman Nicholas Kimball said the term "breach" is broadly defined and can mean accidental violations that pose no danger.

"We have taken extensive steps to increase the safety of the traveling public, and that is why airports today are safer than ever before," he said.

Documents to be introduced at today's subcommittee hearing show:

6,000 breaches in which TSA screeners failed to screen, or improperly screened, a passenger or carry-on items.

2,616 breaches involving someone gaining unauthorized access to "sterile areas" at screening checkpoints without being properly screened.

1,318 incidents in which someone gained unauthorized access from airport perimeters to aircraft operations areas.