South Florida's Airports Busy With Holiday Travelers
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – If you're planning on flying out-of-town for the Christmas holiday, you are going to have plenty of company.
Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport expects 1.2 million travelers will pass though their terminals over the holiday period which began Saturday, Dec. 21st and runs through Sunday, Jan. 5th 2014.
The county's aviation department anticipates an average of 73,000 passengers a day during the travel period. The busiest travel days were expected to be Saturday, December 21 and Thursday, December 26; Saturday, December 28; and Saturday, January 4, 2013. January 4 will be the busiest day with approximately 93,000 passengers.
Airport officials expect traffic to be down slightly over the same period last year as airlines have reduced the number of available seats.
PARKING
SunPass Plus is available in all of the Airport's parking facilities. Travelers can use SunPass Plus as a convenient way to pay for parking using a SunPass transponder. The traveler must use a SunPass Plus lane to enter and exit. With SunPass Plus entry, no ticket is required.
The airport has a variety of parking options. Travelers may choose from Valet ($21/day), parking garages ($15/day), or Airport Economy Parking ($7.50/day). Travelers should allow extra time for parking during this holiday period.
Airport Economy Parking is located west of the airport with almost 4,000 available spaces. Shuttle buses run every 15 minutes to and from the terminals. To access the Airport Economy Parking located at 2755 S.W. 42nd Street, take Griffin Road just west of I-95 to Anglers Avenue, turn right, and follow the signs.
Click here to view FLL Flight Tracker
At Miami International Airport, more than 2.1 million passengers are expected during the 17-day holiday travel period which began Saturday, Dec. 21st and runs through Monday, Jan. 6 2014.
An average of 123,500 passengers are expected per day. Weekday and weekend passenger totals at MIA are typically 105,000 and 113,000, respectively. MIA's all-time record for passengers in a single day was 136,889 on January 5, 2013, and projections indicate that MIA will approach or break that record this weekend or the weekend following New Year's Day.
Departing passengers should arrive at the airport two hours before a domestic flight and two and a half hours before an international flight to allow sufficient time for parking, airline check-in and screening at the security checkpoint.
PARKING
Parking is available in the Dolphin and Flamingo garages for a maximum daily rate of $17 or $2 every 20 minutes up to two hours and 40 minutes.
The county's aviation department also offers an on-site Economy Park and Ride lot at 1350 N.W. 45th Avenue for $3 per hour for the first two hours or a daily rate of $8. Free shuttle service between the economy lot and the airport is provided every 10 to 15 minutes from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and every 20 to 25 minutes from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
A new disabled parking policy is in effect, requiring anyone parking at MIA with a disabled parking permit or license tag to pay standard airport parking rates unless they are: 1) parking for less than two hours; or 2) if the vehicle has specialized equipment such as ramps, lifts, foot or hand controls for use by a person with a disability or any vehicle displaying the Florida Toll Exemption permit. In accordance with Florida state law and Miami-Dade County code, anyone with a disabled parking permit or license tag who meets either of those exceptions is allowed to park free of charge.
