Brace for a busy Holiday Travel Season
In preparation for the upcoming holiday travel season, West Virginia International Yeager Airport would like to remind passengers to be prepared for the increased passenger volume. The season kicks off with Thanksgiving travel, which begins Friday, Nov. 18, and concludes Sunday, Nov. 27. CRW is expecting passenger volumes over the Thanksgiving travel period to equal or surpass the previous holiday season, with 54.6 million people expected to travel over the holiday period — a 1.5% increase from 2021. Airport officials expect the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to be the busiest departure day, following another busy travel day on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects travel nationwide to pick up this season, anticipating as many as 2.5 million passengers at checkpoints on Wednesday and more than 2.5 million on Sunday. As a result, the agency recommends that people prepare for security when packing for their trip and be aware of what can go in carry-on or checked bags.
CRW Airport has some tips for dealing with the crowds:
Give yourself extra time. Make sure you arrive at least one hour prior to your scheduled departure time to ensure you’re at your gate in time for boarding.
Download your airline app. Download your airline’s mobile app ahead of time to get important flight status updates and for an overall smoother travel experience.
Picking Up Loved Ones? Those picking up or dropping off passengers should utilize the free 20-minute lot, available while you wait for your loved one. Please do not park along Airport Road or curbside.
What can I bring? Passengers should review all rules for carry-ons in advance of their flight at TSA.gov. CRW also encourages passengers to sign up for trusted traveler programs such as TSA Pre✓®. The program allows travelers to leave on their shoes, light outerwear and belt, keep their laptop in its case, and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bag in a carry-on, in select TSA airport checkpoint screening lanes.
Worried about flight delays? We encourage you to check with your airline before coming to the airport. You can also check live flight status on our website and our social media is a good resource for important airport updates.
As a reminder, beginning May 3, 2023, air travelers flying within the United States will be required to present a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport or military ID. To get the REAL ID gold star, West Virginia residents must present the required documents at a DMV in person. There is a ten-dollar surcharge and standard fees to get the new license. A standard license without the gold star will not be a valid option to enter the TSA checkpoint after May 3, 2023.
We hope you have a safe and happy holiday season, and thank you for Flying CRW!
