Easter Sunday travel caps busy week at Chicago airports
CHICAGO (CBS) – O'Hare and Midway airports expect an influx of travelers for Easter Sunday.
Airport officials say they are ready for the travel rush that comes with the end of spring break.
2.9 million passengers were expected to travel between March 21 and April 1. The busiest day so far in that stretch was Thursday, March 28.
Officials say it's a historically busy travel period encompassing Holy Week celebrations, Easter, and spring break for Chicago Public Schools.
Numbers show more Chicagoans traveling for spring break this year, with O'Hare expecting 7% more travelers than last year and 2.4% more at Midway, according to airline statistics.
Passengers, including a couple who touched down from Maui, shared their experience returning to Chicago.
"It really wasn't bad," said Mel Modica. "Lines were quick, everything was great, flights were easy. Yeah, can't complain."
Another family tried to beat the rush and got to Chicago overnight from Michigan and headed to Naples, Florida.
"We thought we were beating the rush to get the shuttle this morning in our hotel, but there was a group of 21 people there, and the shuttle only holds like 20-something people, so we had to get an Uber, like snappy quick." Michael Carlson said.
Travelers are advised to give themselves extra time.
Both airports will host Mass inside their airport chapels to accommodate any passengers flying on Easter Sunday.
