This Oregon Airport Doesn't Have TSA In 2026. Here's How It Affects Travelers.

Not having to go through TSA to catch a flight sounds like a dream to many passengers. Not only would you be free to break TSA's rules for toiletries, but you'd also be able to dodge one of the biggest stressors and wild cards of a traveler's journey. However, no TSA means no commercial passenger screening — which ultimatelly means no commercial flights. This happens because, if an airport loses its TSA checkpoint, it can no longer screen all passengers and baggage on commercial flights operating in the United States, as required by law.

In November 2025, the Salem-Willamette Valley Airport (SLE) lost its status as a federalized airport, per the Salem Reporter. For travelers, this means that TSA security regulations no longer apply to passengers using the airport for general aviation. However, it also means that the airport can no longer serve as a destination for commercial airlines' broader route networks. 

In the past, Salem was served by United, Delta, and, more recently, Avelo Airlines. Unfortunately, Salem's big dreams of serving major airports along the West Coast disappeared in October 2025, when Avelo cancelled its only route to Burbank and exited the airport two months earlier than planned, leaving the travel hub with no scheduled flights. As the airport couldn't find another airline to start flights, TSA also closed up shop at the end of December 2025, shutting down the checkpoint and making plans to move employees — and potentially relocate new state-of-the-art luggage screening equipment — to other airports in the region.

There is a silver lining to this black cloud, though. In terms of rebooting commercial flights, the city-owned airport, along with the local community, has voiced that they are once again ready for takeoff. Compared to a few years ago — before Avelo added service to Las Vegas and Burbank — the airport infrastructure has been improved, and the city and community developed a $1.5 million Minimum Revenue Guarantee fund for a future carrier, per a City of Salem press release. Though this falls short of the estimated $3 million to $5 million needed to restart flights, local news channel KATU reported that Travel Salem conducted a survey that found 85% of respondents support a commercial carrier's return to the airport. Nonetheless, even if the airport finds an airline ready to start flights, losing federalization means that the airport could remain in a holding position for months. 

In the meantime, this leaves Salem as one of the few state capitals, including Maryland's unique and historic capital, without commercial flights — though Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) isn't too far. That said, for travelers visiting Oregon's capital city, or venturing out to Depoe Bay, one of the state's top remote destination for 2026, you'll have a longer drive to Eugene Airport and Portland International Airport. If you are still flying into Salem on a general aviation flight, Avis and Budget rental car counters are still open at the time of writing, as is the popular local favorite, Flight Deck restaurant.