Latest news with #LalitLal
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Memorial Day weekend: Best and worst times to travel, airport construction and gas prices
From the skies to the roads, get ready for a busy Memorial Day. AAA says it expects 45.1 million people nationwide, including 1.38 million in Georgia, will travel for the holiday weekend. Here's what you need to know if you're heading somewhere. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and TSA officials expect more than 2.6 million passengers will travel through the airport this weekend. 'Two of the three busiest days occurred during last year's Memorial Day weekend,' TSA Georgia Deputy Federal Security Director Lalit Lal said. 'With similar volumes expected this weekend we're working hard to ensure a smooth and safe experience for all passengers.' Part of the experience will include navigating the construction project on a new south parking deck. TSA recorded its busiest day ever at the Atlanta airport back in April with 111,000 passenger screenings. Officials expect that Friday's numbers could come close to that or top it. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] BEST AND WORST TIMES TO DRIVE Transportation-data firm INRIX analyzes the best and worst times to drive for the major holidays. Here are the times it predicts will be the most congested through Monday: Friday, May 23: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 24: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 25: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, May 26: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. RELATED: Top things to do in and around Atlanta this weekend GAS PRICES As of Friday, AAA's website shows the national average for a gallon of unleaded gas is $3.19. Georgia prices are below the national average at $2.93. Here are the average prices per region. Albany: $2.87 Athens: $2.95 Atlanta: $2.94 Augusta: $2.88 Brunswick: $2.94 Catoosa-Dade-Walker: $2.82 Columbus: $2.88 Dalton: $2.84 Gainesville: $2.92 Hinesville-Fort Stewart: $3.00 Macon: $2.93 Rome: $2.84 Savannah: $2.99 Valdosta: $2.94 Warner Robins: $2.88 WEATHER
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
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 RELATED STORIES Atlanta's airport ranked 9th most stressful in the U.S. Atlanta airport expects near-record turnout before Memorial Day Weekend Parking deck construction to impact traffic at Atlanta airport Parking rate increases go into effect at Atlanta airport 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.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Memorial Day travel: Atlanta airport prepares for one of its busiest weekends of the year
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport kicked off the summer travel season on Tuesday ahead of the busy Memorial Day weekend. Officials with the airport, TSA and Atlanta police expect 2.6 million passengers over the next week. 'Two of the three busiest days occurred during last year's Memorial Day weekend,' TSA deputy federal security director Georgia Deputy Federal Security Director Lalit Lal said. 'With similar volumes expected this weekend we're working hard to ensure a smooth and safe experience for all passengers.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Part of the experience will include navigating the construction project on a new south parking deck. Orange barrels and signs went up over the weekend where traffic narrows down to one lane from each direction approaching the South terminal. There will be lane closures through the end of the year, but access to the current South Domestic parking garage will remain open. 'We have people out there directing traffic and making sure it flows smoothly. ATL e-force is out there, police is out there and others around the airport making sure if do have any tragic congestions, they're handled very quickly,' airport assistant general manager Augusta Hudson said. TSA recorded its busiest day ever at the Atlanta airport back in April with 111,000 passenger screenings. This Friday could come close to that. TRENDING STORIES: Suspect still on the run more than a year after Gainesville 16-year-old killed Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms officially announces run for Georgia governor This metro Atlanta city is ranked No. 1 on new 'Best Places to Live in the U.S.' list [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
