Memorial Day weekend projected to be busiest ever
CHARLOTTE N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The upcoming summer travel season is predicted to be one of the busiest ever at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Starting Thursday, more than 1 million people are expected to travel through Charlotte Douglas. That’s a 21% increase from 2023. Passenger numbers are projected to be 14% higher than the summer of 2023.
Thursday, Friday and Monday are expected to be the peak travel days. The airport says it will have additional staff wearing yellow vests to help guide travelers and direct traffic.
Charlotte Douglas is also working with law enforcement and the North Carolina and Charlotte Departments of Transportation to manage traffic flow, adding additional staff at the terminal curb front to keep traffic moving and providing alternate routes for Airport shuttle buses during peak travel periods.
Airport officials say they are ready for the rush, but are urging people to plan ahead.
“TSA here can assure that we are fully staffed,” Andrew Small, TSA Supervisory Analyst said. “We will be deploying overtime as needed to make sure we are opening time strategically when we need to have those lines open. And as lines come in, as rushes come in, TSA will react and adopt to that.”
Despite the increase in airplane travelers, Gas Buddy reports 76% of Americans plan to drive for Memorial Day, which is up 18% from last year.
AAA says the worst times to travel are between noon and 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday. The best time is anytime before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
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