Security Delays Cause 70,000 American Air Missed Flights

Airport screening delays have caused more than 70,000 American Airlines customers and 40,000 checked bags to miss their flights this year, an executive told a US congressional subcommittee.

A shortage of staff and a surge in passenger numbers have created a nightmare scenario for the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), with airport wait times in places like Chicago stretching beyond two hours.

While TSA is taking steps to shorten delays such as hiring more full-time officers, it lacks the staffing to handle peak travel times this summer, Administrator Peter Neffenger said on Wednesday.

American wants TSA to create a senior internal role focused on public concerns, said American Airlines' Kerry Philipovitch. The request comes days after Neffenger shook up TSA's management, removing the head of security operations, Kelly Hoggan.

Philipovitch also recommended that TSA consider reinstating a risk-based screening programme that it cancelled last year because of high-profile lapses.

In the programme, officers trained to detect irregular behaviour would pull unsuspicious travellers randomly into "PreCheck" lanes that can process people faster, as they do not remove their shoes and other belongings.

TSA has projected it will screen 740 million people at US airports this year, 15 percent more than in 2013 despite a 12 percent reduction in staff.