Asheville Regional Airport Begins TSA Support Drive

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is part of the Department of Homeland Security, and its officers are currently working without pay during the partial federal government shutdown. At Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), approximately 96 TSA team members, friends and neighbors in our region are working without pay to keep air travel safe. The airport has implemented internal efforts to support local TSA team members and is now organizing a support drive so the community can also support.

Members of the community who would like to show their support can participate by donating gift cards in denominations of $20 or less to grocery stores and gas stations or pre-paid debit gift cards.

Gift card donations for TSA officers working at AVL can be dropped off at three locations:

  • Terminal ticket lobby – pre-TSA Security Checkpoint
  • Terminal Guest Services – located in the bag claim
  • Marathon Gas Station, 95 Terminal Dr. – just south of the airport terminal

Please note: Due to federal guidelines, gift cards must be $20 or less.

All gift cards will be distributed to local TSA employees who need additional support to help them during this time.  AVL appreciates the community’s support for the TSA officers who help keep our airport running safely every day.

Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.