TSA says it screened a record nearly 3 million people on Sunday, and larger crowds are on the way

The number of air travelers passing through U.S. airports hit a record Sunday, and that new record may not last until next weekend.

The Transportation Security Administration said it screened nearly 3 million people at airports on Sunday, breaking a record set on May 24, the Friday before Memorial Day.

The TSA predicts it will cross the 3 million mark on Friday, when many people will start their travel plans early for the July 4 holiday.

“We expect this summer to be the busiest ever and summer travel typically peaks during the Independence Day holiday,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske.

Sunday’s TSA count was 2,996,193, about 45,000 more than the 2,951,163 who passed through checkpoints on May 24. Seven of the 10 busiest days in TSA history have occurred this year, as travel continues to decline because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The TSA plans to screen more than 32 million people between Thursday and July 8, the Monday after the holiday, for a daily average of 2.67 million. This would represent a 5.4% increase over the July 4 period last year.

Airlines for America, a trade group representing the largest U.S. carriers, projects air traffic this summer will increase 6.3% from last year.