The TSA Checkpoint at the Albuquerque International Sunport is operating normally, including the PreCheck lane.

Passengers should plan to travel as usual and check directly with their airline for any flight-specific updates.

• TSA Pre-Check Touchless ID  is an opt-in, voluntary program using facial recognition technology to validate a passengers identity without needing the passenger to present their physical valid form of ID.
• Note:  The technology is about 99% accurate, but If the system does not recognize the passenger, they will need to utilize their physical ID.
• Passengers opt-in through their airlines app or profile by uploading their passport information.
• TSA Pre-Check Touchless ID process is approximately 3 times faster than the current ID verification process.
• There are currently 5 participating airlines:  Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest, and United.
• Through the spring of 2026, Touchless will come online at approximately 65 airports across the US.

 For additional information, see TSAs public website TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID | Transportation Security Administration

Starting February 1st, travelers without an acceptable form of ID must pay a $45 fee.

Passengers with a Non-REAL ID

Passengers who do not have a REAL ID–compliant driver’s license may use their personal devices for most steps in the identity verification process.

• The passenger will scan the Pay.gov barcode and follow the prompts to validate their identity.
• After completing the process, the passenger will present a digital receipt to the document-checking officer.
• The officer will validate the receipt in conjunction with standard screening procedures.

Passengers with No Acceptable Identification

Passengers who do not have any acceptable form of identification will receive additional assistance.

• The passenger will be directed to a designated area for one-on-one support from a supervisor.
• The passenger will scan the Pay.gov barcode to pay the required fee and show the receipt to the supervisor.
• The passenger will complete a Certification of Identity Form.
• A supervisor will use the Verify App to search for a passport record and/or conduct a knowledge-based verification test on a TSA device.

If the passenger’s identity is successfully verified:

• The passenger will proceed to an officer for additional screening.

If the passenger is unable to correctly answer identity-verification questions:

• Screening may be denied if it cannot be confirmed that the passenger is who they claim to be.
• In certain circumstances, discretion may be applied by TSA leadership to allow screening with additional measures (for example, passengers with mental disabilities or elderly passengers with signs of dementia).

Important Note

As with all passengers, if there are issues with Secure Flight records, the passenger may be referred back to the airline to update their reservation information. This may occur if the name on the reservation does not match the passenger’s legal name (for example, the use of a nickname). For more information, visit the TSA website.

Starting January 27, Southwest will introduce a simpler boarding process at the gates. The numbered metal stanchions will be removed, and boarding will take place in two alternating lanes, guided by digital screens at gates where available to show the current boarding group.

A dedicated Preboarding and Priority Boarding area will remain for active-duty military, customers who purchase Priority Boarding (available 24 hours before departure for flights starting January 27), and customers who need extra time or assistance. For more information, visit Southwest website.