WASHINGTON, Nov 17 (Reuters) - The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said Wednesday it expects to screen about 20 million air passengers during the busy Thanksgiving travel period.

The TSA said airport security checkpoints nationwide will be busy in the period that starts Friday and runs through Nov. 28. TSA said the passenger volumes "may be very close to pre-pandemic levels this holiday." (Reporting by David Shepardson Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)