Louisville's airport reports 92% REAL ID compliance ahead of 1st holiday weekend since change

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer travel season, and 3.6 million Americans are expected to fly. That could mean long lines inside and parking garages near capacity outside the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, officials said Thursday.

The congestion is mostly because Memorial Day weekend is the first holiday the Transportation Security Administration will enforce the requirement of having a REAL ID. This year, travelers have to ensure they have proper identification they need to get through TSA and make it to their destinations.

If you're traveling, a have REAL ID, passport or other approved identification ready. Otherwise, you'll have to do additional security screening.

"You could be denied boarding, but TSA has done a great job of helping people get through and make sure they get to their destination," said Natalie Chaudoin, spokesperson for the Louisville airport.

Enforcement for the REAL ID went into effect May 7. So far, the process has been going smoothly for both TSA and travelers in the Louisville airport.

"I think a lot people had a lot of time to get the REAL ID or make sure they have the passport," Chaudoin said.

To date, TSA reports 92% of people who have traveled through the Louisville airport had proper identification, so only a small number of people have had to do additional verification or screening. Officials warned that could change with the number of travelers changing increasing.

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