ORLANDO, Fla. — Over Memorial Day weekend, more than 42 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home.
According to AAA, nearly 3.4 million people will catch a flight, and some of those passengers will pass through Orlando and Tampa International Airports.
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority expects more than 1.1 million passengers to pass through the airport during the busy holiday weekend.
Orlando Airport’s new West Park Place economy lot has 3,100 additional parking spaces to accommodate that influx of traffic. The new parking lot is on Tradeport Drive.
As the nation’s seventh-busiest airport, Orlando International is bracing for a high volume of passengers, with officials predicting it could see nearly 170,000 passengers on Saturday alone.
“Well, in anticipation of Memorial Day travel, in anticipation of summer travel, we have, TSA has what they call NDOs, which are basically support staff, that they bring in from other airports that are a little less busy,” said Marquez Griffin, vice president airport operations. “They are being deployed here in Orlando to help with some of the lines and take care of the passengers.”
Meanwhile in Tampa, the airport is preparing for what officials predict will be its busiest summer yet. Airlines have added additional routes and with seat capacity expected to be high for the expected high demand, the TSA is reporting a record number of passengers.
Tampa International expects to see an average of about 70,000 passengers per day, with as many as 90,000 passengers on the busiest days, which are usually Saturdays and Sundays. So far this year, the Airport has transported almost five percent more passengers compared to the same period of 2019.
Regardless of where you are traveling to or from, officials recommend that you arrive at your departure airport three hours early to allow for unexpected delays or wait times.
AAA expects this to be the busiest Memorial Day weekend for airports since 2005.