TSA Suspends Gateside Program at Two Virginia Airports

The TSA has indefinitely ended the program allowing non-ticketed travelers to pass through security at two state airports.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Air Travel

TSA Suspends Gateside Program at Two Virginia Airports

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The Transportation Security Administration has suspended its Gateside by TSA PreCheck program at Norfolk International Airport and Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport. The initiative, which enabled non-ticketed individuals to access terminal gates, was removed from the program's official selection list.

Why it matters

The program was intended to offer greater flexibility for travelers and their families by allowing non-ticketed guests to visit gate areas. Its sudden suspension marks a shift in how these regional hubs manage security access for non-traveling members of the public.

The program allowed non-ticketed users to request access via the TSA website. During its short run at Norfolk International Airport, 31 individuals utilized the gate passes over four days.

The players

Transportation Security Administration

This federal agency is responsible for the security of the traveling public and the oversight of airport checkpoints across the United States.

Norfolk International Airport

This facility is a primary airport serving the Hampton Roads region of Virginia.

Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport

This airport provides air travel services to the Virginia Peninsula and the surrounding Tidewater region.

The details

The TSA previously expanded the gateside access program to these two Virginia facilities on Oct. 2, 2026. The program was officially pulled from the participant list on Oct. 14, 2026, ending access for non-ticketed visitors.

Oct. 2, 2026: The TSA program expanded to include Norfolk and Newport News-Williamsburg airports.
Oct. 14, 2026: Airport access was removed from the selection website.
Oct. 15, 2026: The suspension of the program was reported.

Travel Outlook

The TSA's Gateside by TSA PreCheck pilot program currently operates across 13 major airport hubs to facilitate public access. The removal of two Virginia sites marks a contraction in the footprint of this ongoing federal testing initiative.

Travelers and their non-ticketed guests should no longer attempt to register for gate access at these two specific Virginia airports. Users should check the official TSA portal to confirm if their local airport remains part of the remaining 13-site pilot program.

The takeaway

Visitors planning to greet passengers at the gate should verify current security regulations before heading to the airport. This suspension serves as a reminder that pilot programs can change or end without advance notice to the general public.