Kansas City Aviation Department: Missourians might need to show an alternative form of acceptable identification for commercial air travel after January 21, 2019

Kansas City, MO, 2018-Sep-14 — /Travel PR News/ — The Kansas City Aviation Department wants to allay concerns travelers may have that they must use a U.S. passport to board their flights after October 10. For now, they have through January 21, 2019.

The Department of Homeland Security’s REAL ID program mandates that state-issued IDs and driver’s licenses comply with certain protocols for citizens to gain access to commercial aircraft, federal and nuclear facilities and military bases. DHS established deadlines for compliance, and has granted extensions to Missouri and other states. The current deadline is October 10, 2018. However, the Missouri Department of Revenue filed for an extension and the state is confident it will be granted. Should the state not receive an extension, an existing grace period from enforcement will be provided through January 21, 2019. After that, Missourians will need to show an alternative form of acceptable identification for commercial air travel, including a U.S. passport, Global Entry card and/or others.

The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” The Act established minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards.

Missouri has not yet complied with REAL ID, but Kansas has complied with DHS stipulations and Kansas travelers are ready for travel. The State of Missouri continues to work with DHS on the matter and expects to be compliant by March 2019. Of note, REAL ID-compliant IDs will not be automatic. Missourians will have the option to obtain a REAL ID-compliant ID or driver’s license or opt out. Those who opt out will need to provide approved alternative forms of identification.

“The situation and deadlines with REAL ID can be confusing,” said Joe McBride, spokesman for the Kansas City Aviation Department. ”For now Missourians need not worry about what forms of ID to show at a security checkpoint. Meanwhile, all air travelers are advised to familiarize themselves with the approved forms of identification to present at airport security checkpoints. And when the time comes to make a choice, consider opting in for a REAL ID-compliant ID so no additional ID will be needed to board a flight.”

The Kansas City Airport System is an Enterprise Fund Department of the City of Kansas City, Mo., and is supported wholly by airport user charges. No general tax fund revenues are used for the administration, promotion, operation, or maintenance of the airports in the system. Visit flykci.com for more information. Find us on Twitter and Facebook.

Media Contact:
Joe McBride
joe.mcbride@kcmo.org
816.243.3164

Source: Kansas City Airport

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