Traveling for Turkey Day? Be sure to allow extra time.
This year's Thanksgiving is expected to be the busiest on air travel ever, with a record 18 million Americans expected to take flight in the coming days to celebrate the holiday.
“This will be the busiest Thanksgiving ever for air travel,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said. “Fortunately, our staffing levels are also at an all-time high. We're ready.”
The TSA expects 3 million people to pass through airport security checkpoints on Sunday, making Tuesday and Wednesday the second busiest days.
Peroske said the TSA is preparing to keep wait times in security lines under 30 minutes, but other forces such as Federal Aviation Administration staffing shortages, airport worker strikes and the possibility of severe weather are in play. He may have other plans.
A chronic shortage of air traffic controllers could cause delays at some airports, but FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said the agency would take special steps to overcome staffing issues. said.
“If we are short on staff, we will reduce traffic as necessary to keep the system safe,” he said.
Another obstacle that could hamper Thanksgiving travel is a strike that began Monday at North Carolina's Charlotte Douglas International Airport by service workers demanding higher wages.
The airport, the ninth busiest in the United States, is expected to see about 1 million passengers depart on flights between last Thursday and next Monday.
Thanks to construction work at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New Yorkers looking to board a plane this Thanksgiving week may also face a unique traveler's dilemma.
port authority Stakeholders are urging 1.34 million travelers will travel from JFK Airport over the next week to avoid driving directly to the airport terminal and opt for public transportation instead, due to the airport's $19 billion redevelopment project. It is expected that he will depart by plane.
“We want our customers to spend as much time as possible with family and friends this Thanksgiving holiday and spend as little time as possible sitting in construction-related traffic at JFK Airport,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O'Toole. “I think so,” he said.
“Give yourself plenty of time, use public transportation, reserve parking in advance if you must drive to JFK, and visit our website for up-to-date information before you leave for the airport. Please check travel advisories.
Despite the potential for disruption, most U.S. flights appeared to be operating as scheduled Monday, with fewer than 40 canceled by midday and more than 1,600 delayed, according to FlightAware. It is said that he did.
Last year's good weather made holiday travel relatively smooth, and many airport and travel officials are hoping this year's holiday season will be a repeat of the same.
Last year, fewer than 400 U.S. flights were canceled during Thanksgiving week. Only 1.3% of flights have been canceled so far this week, so expect the same to be the case this year.
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