TSA and Aerostar prepare SJU for busy holiday travel season
Officials recommend travelers review prohibited items and use available tools to speed up security screening at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport as passenger volume is projected to rise.
File photoThe short version
- El Nuevo Día and El Vocero report TSA is prepared for increased passenger volume in November, December and January at SJU
- Aerostar president Jorge Hernández told reporters more than 1 million passengers are expected in November and nearly 1.2 million each in December and January
- TSA's Jesús Serrano advised passengers to check carry-on bags for prohibited items and place pocket items inside bags before screening
- Aerostar conducted an emergency drill on Wednesday simulating an active shooter, explosive device and insider threat
Travel recommendations ahead of peak season
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Aerostar Airports Holding, operator of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, issued guidance for travelers as the high season approaches. According to El Nuevo Día, TSA director for Puerto Rico Jesús Serrano said the agency coordinates with airport and airline partners but passengers also play an important role.
Both outlets reported that November, December and January are historically the busiest months at SJU, with nine of the 10 highest activity days occurring in December and January. El Vocero reported that Aerostar anticipates more than one million passengers in November and nearly 1.2 million in both December and January. The outlets noted an expected increase in prohibited items at security checkpoints that could cause delays.
TSA recommends reviewing carry-on luggage before arriving at the airport to ensure no prohibited items are present. Travelers should remove personal items such as phones, keys and coins from pockets and place them inside carry-on bags rather than in trays. Liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) must go in checked baggage. The agency directs passengers to use the "What Can I Bring?" tool to check allowed items.
Also on PuertoRico.com: San Juan travel guide
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Los artículos prohibidos en los puntos de control pueden retrasar el proceso de inspección para todos
Our translation: Prohibited items at checkpoints can delay the screening process for everyone
The source's own statement, as quoted by El Nuevo Día. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Technology and assistance options
Eligible TSA PreCheck members with a valid passport can use TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, a facial comparison technology that speeds identity verification without presenting physical identification, according to both El Nuevo Día and El Vocero. The service is available through participating airlines or Google Wallet and uses dedicated lanes.
Travelers may text questions to AskTSA at 275-872 or use the free myTSA app, which provides 24-hour access to security information including the "What Can I Bring?" database. El Vocero noted that AskTSA virtual assistants are available around the clock, with live staff from 5:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pacific time for complex queries.
Airport emergency preparedness drill
Aerostar conducted a practical emergency exercise on Wednesday to test response to complex scenarios at the airport, El Nuevo Día reported. The simulation included an active shooter, an improvised explosive device threat and an insider threat, primarily in the terminal D cargo inspection area.
Participants included Aerostar staff, Puerto Rico Police, Explosives Division, airport rescue firefighters, emergency medical services and other airport operations entities. Aerostar president Jorge Hernández stated that such exercises validate emergency plans, identify improvements and strengthen coordination. Results will be used to assess strengths, areas for improvement and corrective actions.
Where the sources differ
El Nuevo Día and El Vocero agree on TSA recommendations, the historical peak months of November through January, the quote from Jesús Serrano about coordination and prohibited items, availability of TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, the What Can I Bring? tool, AskTSA contact number and myTSA app. El Vocero reported specific passenger projections from Jorge Hernández (over 1 million in November and nearly 1.2 million in December and January) and a 4% increase in air capacity over last year, which El Nuevo Día did not include. El Nuevo Día alone reported the 3.1% drop in arrivals January-September 2026, the 8% scheduled capacity growth for October 2026-March 2027, the impact of Spirit Airlines' exit, American Airlines' planned 161 weekly flights, and full details of the Wednesday emergency drill including specific threats simulated.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not provide exact passenger totals for the full high season, current year-over-year comparisons for November-January traffic, specific dates of the 10 historically busiest days, the number of prohibited items typically found, expected wait times, or any outcomes or findings from the emergency exercise. They also do not state whether additional TSA staff will be deployed or detail any changes in airline schedules beyond the capacity figures mentioned.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official ¿Vas a viajar desde San Juan? Esto es lo que recomienda TSA ante la temporada alta
- Official ¿Vas a viajar desde San Juan? Esto es lo que recomienda TSA ante la temporada alta
- Reporting ¿Vas a viajar desde San Juan? Esto es lo que recomienda TSA ante la temporada alta
- Reporting Lo que debes saber antes de viajar en temporada alta
How we checked this
El Nuevo Día and El Vocero both covered TSA travel tips and the role of passengers in avoiding delays. El Vocero focused more on passenger volume projections from Aerostar. El Nuevo Día provided additional context on recent air service changes and a detailed account of the emergency preparedness drill that rested solely on its reporting.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.