The much-anticipated summer travel season kicks off this Memorial Day weekend, and airports across the country are already seeing a rush of travelers. According to the Transportation Security Administration, more than 7 million people passed through TSA checkpoints from Saturday to Monday.
The nation’s busiest airport, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, is bracing for a substantial influx of passengers, with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens expecting more than 2 million passengers this weekend.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby predicts this Memorial Day will be the busiest in more than a decade. He expressed concern about air traffic control challenges, which he considers the No. 1 issue as the industry enters the summer season.
“This weekend will be a test of the system,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said at a recent news conference. “And I think we all have the airline story of last summer and the disruption that happened. The cancellation and delay rates were at unacceptable proportions last year. And it’s important not to let that happen again.”
The Department of Transportation reported that the cancellation rate for US airlines in the first three months of 2023 is below 2%, a significant improvement over last summer’s more than 45,000 cancellations due to staffing and weather-related disruptions.
Nationwide, TSA is gearing up for a potentially record-setting summer.
TSA Administrator David Pekosk said the agency will have more staff this year than last year. Airlines have also reduced summer flights at the request of the Federal Aviation Administration.
With Thursday, Friday and Monday expected to be the busiest travel days, travelers are advised to plan accordingly. Full flights not only mean waiting time at airport checkpoints, but also potential delays in parking garages. Travel experts recommend advanced planning or considering alternative transportation options, such as rideshares, to mitigate potential problems.
Additionally, carry-on luggage can save time in case of flight complications, as it is easier to secure another flight with just one carry-on.
Meanwhile, some passengers missed their flights due to long queues at the airport. Christina Jones, who missed her flight to Orlando because of the long queues, expressed her frustration, saying, “I miss my job. My kids, my people, my home. I want to go home and go to my bed.”
To avoid such situations, travel experts recommend budgeting at least two hours for airport lines to ensure a smooth travel experience on Memorial Day weekend.
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Chris Van Cleve
