Planners Brace for Real ID Airport Delays
Despite months of outreach, planners are preparing for a disruptive Real ID rollout, anticipating missed flights and logistical headaches.
Starting May 7, U.S. airline passengers 18 and older must present a Real ID-compliant driver's license or other approved identification at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints.
A TSA spokesperson told Skift that over 80% of travelers already use compliant IDs. Still, planners are preparing for delays.
'We've been updating pre-event communications for months,' said Elaina Whitey, an independent event planner. 'But there's still concern that attendees will show up with non-compliant IDs, face delays, or miss flights entirely.'
Compliant licenses are marked with a star in the upper right corner. Travelers without one must bring an alternative, such as a valid U.S. passport, Department of Defense ID, or enhanced driver's license from states including Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, or Vermont.
Travelers are advised to arrive at the airport earlier than usual and double-check their ID status well in advance. The TSA warns that those who arrive with non-compliant IDs should expect additional screening and possible delays.
Real ID Campaigns Raise Awareness
Several travel industry organizations launched Real ID awareness campaigns ahead of the May 7 deadline. Airlines for America created the Travel Like a Star initiative to raise awareness.
Some corporations also took action. Cordis's travel team integrated REAL ID pop-ups into its internal travel booking system and pushed updates through staff emails. But even that may not be enough, said Monique Rochard-Marine, head of global commercial services at Cordis.
'Many ignore things like this. Avid travelers don't even read airport signs,' said Rochard-Marine. 'Many will probably not realize it until they get to the airport and cannot use what they have anymore, then make plans to update their ID, or start carrying another form of ID.'
Some events took a proactive and creative approach to Real ID. At the New York International Auto Show, held April 18-27 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, organizers partnered with the New York DMV to set up a mobile office that processed applications on-site. The application process took about an hour, but applicants were able to enjoy the show while they waited.
Adding to these challenges, anyone traveling through Newark Liberty International Airport faces another layer of complications. The airport has been plagued by flight disruptions due to aging infrastructure, staffing shortages among air traffic controllers, and the temporary closure of a key runway. More than 440 flights were affected on Monday, and 600 flights on Sunday, according to FlightAware.
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