Jul 21, 2023
Today, West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW) announced that passenger travel is back to pre-pandemic levels. From January to June, 24,284 more passengers passed through CRW when compared to 2022. In June alone, CRW experienced a 13.4% increase in enplanements, welcoming a total of 178,888 passengers so far this year. This substantial growth in air traffic is a testament to the strong and thriving rebound in the travel industry.
As the travel industry continues its upward trajectory and interest in exploring West Virginia’s natural beauty grows, more visitors are choosing CRW as their preferred gateway. The airport’s commitment to providing top-notch services and convenient travel options has resonated well with passengers, contributing to this milestone.
“We love to see so many passengers choosing to fly CRW,” said Airport Director & CEO Dominique Ranieri. “This is a testament to the growth of West Virginia tourism, our hardworking staff, and our airline partners’ confidence in CRW.”
The recent addition of Breeze Airways as an air carrier operating at CRW has significantly influenced the growth in passenger count. Breeze recently announced nonstop flights to Tampa, Florida, which begin on October 4th. Their presence has opened exciting travel opportunities for both business and leisure travelers, connecting West Virginia to popular travel destinations.
As West Virginia’s largest airport, CRW plays a vital role in promoting economic growth and connectivity for the region. The record-breaking passenger numbers are a testament to the successful partnership between the airport, state officials, and our airline partners. Through continued collaboration, these stakeholders are determined to build upon this momentum and further establish West Virginia as a premier travel destination.
It is the mission of West Virginia International Yeager Airport to provide a safe, world-class airport that elevates the customer experience and exceeds stakeholder and tenant expectations while supporting economic development in the state.
Nov 19, 2020
Holiday Travel may look different this year, but Yeager Airport is still making preparations for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday travel period, which typically includes some of the busiest travel days of the year. Traveling numbers will be down this year, but the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects to see an uptick in passengers over the next few weeks.
Thanksgiving Travel kicks off Friday, November 20, and runs through Monday, November 30. The Saturday and Sunday after the Thanksgiving holiday are typically the busiest travel days.
If you are traveling soon, you can do a few things to make sure your trip is smooth.
TSA PreCheck
TSA is urging anyone flying to enroll in PreCheck. Not only does it get you through the checkpoint faster, but it also eliminates the need for a bin (in most cases) and decreases the amount of contact you have with TSA agents. Enrolling in PreCheck is fairly easy, but it does take a few weeks.
Enrolling is a two-step process. You can start the application online by scheduling an appointment at an enrollment center. The appointment takes about 10 minutes. Your fingerprints are taken for a background check, and you have to pay $85 for a 5-year membership. After that, it normally takes a few weeks to get your approval. Once you approved, the renewal process is done online.
Research your destination and airline
COVID regulations vary by state. Before taking off, make sure you have everything you need to comply with your final destination. At CRW, masks are still mandatory inside the terminal, and all of the airlines at Yeager require masks while onboard their aircraft. Keep in mind – you are also going through more than one airport while traveling. Checking those airports’ websites is a good idea to ensure you do not run into any surprises while traveling.
Flying with food
Are you the chief in the family? Don’t trust Cousin Eddie to deep fry the turkey? Fair enough. If you are packing up the goods for the big dinner, TSA has put together a list of what food items can stay in your carry-on and what needs to be in your checked baggage. The simple rule TSA follow is, if you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it, pack it in a checked bag. Here is the full list.
The usual tips
Guests choosing to travel during this period will see many of the enhanced health, safety, and sanitation efforts that CRW began rolling out at the beginning of the pandemic. Those measures include:
- Hand sanitizing stations
- Acrylic barriers at high touch areas
- New cleaning technology and frequency of cleaning
- Social distancing markers
To ensure a healthy travel experience, CRW asks all guests to do their part by:
- Wearing a face mask properly at all times
- Washing hands frequently and using hand sanitizer
- Maintain social distancing as much as possible
- Use touchless options and mobile boarding passes
- Allow ample time at the airport to help avoid crowds
- Check with your airline for additional guidelines.
As you start to return to the skies this holiday season, we hope you know that we’re doing everything we can to keep you and your family safe and healthy. For those that are not quite ready to return yet, your friends at Yeager Airport will be here when you’re ready. Happy Holidays!
