The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the voice of the global business travel industry – today applauded the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) announcement of the expansion of the PreCheck™ program. TSA PreCheck™ is a pre-screening initiative that makes risk assessments on passengers who voluntarily participate prior to their arrival at the airport checkpoint. TSA announced that it is expanding to an additional 28 airports across the country in 2012, following its initial success at seven pilot locations.

“The expansion of the PreCheck™ Program is something our members have been hoping for and GBTA has been advocating for, since the pilot program was announced last summer,” said Michael W. McCormick, executive director and COO of GBTA. “As an association, faster, more efficient and smarter travel processes that ensure the traveling public’s safety are our top priority and essential for business travelers.”

According to TSA statistics, more than 336,000 passengers have been screened to date in TSA PreCheck™ lanes, this screening concept enhances security by enabling TSA to focus its efforts on passengers the agency knows less about while providing expedited screening for travelers who volunteer information about themselves prior to flying.

“The expansion of PreCheck™, and the announcement of the expansion of Global Entry are positive signs that the U.S. government recognizes how vital efficient and safe travel is for the economy to grow,” concluded McCormick.