Busy Day Expected For Thanksgiving Travelers
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (WCCO) -- Thousands of people will be flying out of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Wednesday as it's one of the busiest traveling days of the year.
People will be heading out all across the country to get to their Thanksgiving destinations and family gatherings. And while things are looking bad elsewhere weather-wise, especially on the east coast, they aren't expected to be that bad in the Twin Cities.
Officials said the last time we had significant snow in the Twin Cities on Thanksgiving was in 1993, when about four inches fell. Airport officials said there have been few delays with flights leaving the MSP airport early Wednesday, but the issues are with flights headed to the east coast where the conditions are less than ideal for flying.
"Normally it is this time of year. I hate to say I was pleasantly surprised to look at the map last night and see that all the weather is impacting the southeast and going up to the northeast," said Maja Hansen, who flew into the Twin Cities from Florida for Thanksgiving. "For once it's not impacting my travel, so I feel bad for the people whose travel it is impacting."
Officials said of the 43 million people who are expected to travel somewhere for Thanksgiving, only about seven percent fly. Experts said about 90 percent of people will drive wherever they are headed.
Believe it or not, the day before Thanksgiving is not the busiest travel day of the year. The Department of Transportation said it looks at the three days leading up to Thanksgiving: about 19 percent of people travel on Tuesday, 33 percent on Wednesday and about 47 percent actually go on Thanksgiving day, traveling for just the day.
Regardless, those heading to the airport on Wednesday to fly out should check the status of their flights and get to the airport early.
