Hartsfield-Jackson bracing for record Memorial Day travel surge
The Brief
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport expects 2.6 million passengers during the eight-day Memorial Day travel period, with Friday projected as the busiest day.
TSA advises travelers to arrive 2.5 to 3 hours early for domestic flights and 3 hours early for international flights due to anticipated long lines.
Georgia law enforcement will increase patrols as part of the national "Click It or Ticket" seat belt enforcement campaign during the holiday weekend.
ATLANTA - As the unofficial start of summer approaches, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is preparing for what could be one of its busiest travel periods ever.
What they're saying
Airport officials estimate more than 2.6 million passengers will travel through the airport during the eight-day Memorial Day holiday period, which begins Tuesday and runs through the Wednesday after Memorial Day.
Leaders at the world's busiest airport say Friday is expected to be the peak travel day, with more than 375,000 passengers anticipated. Many travelers will either begin or end their journey in Atlanta, or connect through the airport.
This travel spike comes just one month after the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recorded its busiest day ever at Hartsfield-Jackson, hinting at a packed summer travel season ahead. Nationally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) predicts Thursday will be the busiest air travel day since 2019, with nearly 54,000 flights scheduled across the U.S.
Watch full press conference below
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What you can do
To help travelers navigate the crowds, TSA officials are urging people to plan ahead and arrive early. For domestic flights, passengers should arrive 2.5 to 3 hours before departure, and at least 3 hours early for international travel.
TSA representatives say they are fully staffed and ready to handle the volume. Their goal is to keep main checkpoint wait times under 30 minutes for general screening and under 10 minutes for TSA PreCheck passengers—standards they say they meet 95% of the time. Still, they warn that lines can grow quickly, especially during morning rushes, and encourage passengers to pack patience along with their luggage.
TSA Deputy Federal Security Director Lalit Lal also reminded travelers that a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or acceptable alternate form of identification will help avoid delays while traveling.
In addition to airport precautions, drivers should also be aware that Georgia State Patrol and local police will be out in force enforcing seat belt laws as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's "Click It or Ticket" campaign.
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