Barkley Airport says REAL ID rollout going smoothly

The much-delayed rollout of REAL ID has gone smoothly for travelers flying out of Barkley Regional Airport.

The federally standardized identification is now required for flying domestically as well as entering military bases and federal buildings. During the first day of implementation, only one person came through security without one, according to Kat Byars, Public Information Officer and Marketing Manager for the airport.

"I'm very proud of our customers and our community for staying so informed." said Byars. She added that flying from Barkley is easier than some of the larger airports, where larger numbers of flyers without the new credentials could cause significant delays. 

There is additional screening for those without a REAL ID, a passport, a federal ID, or a military ID. Travelers without those will need to arrive earlier for their flight to allow time for the extra screening. 

Byars told West Kentucky Star that at this point, there is no cutoff date for the additional security checks for individuals without a Real ID.

The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005 on the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission. The program has seen many delays in its implementation. Kentucky legislators asked for an extension in April, but that was denied by the Trump administration.