Maryland's BWI Airport braces for influx of holiday traffic
BALTIMORE -- Airports are expected to be the busiest they've ever been over the year-end holiday travel period.
AAA projects that there will be 7.5 million air travelers this holiday season, a number that surpasses 2019's record of 7.3 million passengers. Additionally, average ticket prices are slightly lower than last year.
At Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, holiday air travel has gone much smoother than last year, despite a few delays on the day after Christmas.
The flight-tracking website FlightAware reported 180 delayed flights in and out of BWI Airport as of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, and four cancellations. In comparison, Denver International Airport saw about 500 delays and 22 cancellations.
December 26 is typically a busy day at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, with people flying back from wherever they chose to spend the Christmas holiday.
Joe Parisham was getting ready to board a flight back home to Dallas, Texas, after spending his Christmas up north.
"It was wonderful i got to learn all kinds of fun stuff about the East Coast," Parisham said.
For many travelers, like Parisham, the day after Christmas means back to reality.
"I'm ready to get home," Parisham said.
For young athletes 17-year-old Donovan Blackman and 16-year-old Julien McGinnis, it means back to the grind.
"We're having a good year, we're hoping to keep the winning up," Blackman said.
They're flying to West Palm Beach for a basketball tournament.
"I'm not a big traveler but it's worth it," McGinnis said.
Eric Olmstead and his family plan to beat the post-holiday blues by flying down to Arizona.
"We're going to actually go up to Flagstaff and go skiing," Olmstead said.
On Tuesday, he was already doing a different extreme sport—flying with six little kids. He said it requires a lot of preparation.
"Lots of distractions, coloring, games." Olmstead said.
The Federal Aviation Administration said December 26 is forecast to have just over 41,000 flights. Despite a major increase in flights this year, delays and cancellations remain lower than pre-pandemic levels.
Still, the FAA recommends getting to the airport early just in case, if you can.
"We try to," Olmstead said. "We're never on time, though. We have six kids!"
On Tuesday afternoon, BWI announced all airport parking facilities were at or near capacity. Airport officials said when facilities are full, drivers should use the garage at the BWI Marshall Airport rail station and allow time for possible shuttle delays.
You can check on parking availability before you leave for the airport here: https://bwiairport.com/to-from-bwi/parking/
AAA says there could be another busy day at the airport on Saturday—right before New Years Eve.