Report: Record Holiday Weekend Travel Expected
Memorial Day 2021 may mark a milestone as travel restrictions and worry dissipate over the holiday weekend…
Are you home right now? Are you at the airport? Car? Bus?
Source: Orlando International Airport
Even if you are traveling solo, you’re not alone. It seems as if the United States is starting summer 2021 with a bang as more and more travelers slam their suitcases and hatchbacks shut and hit the road for holiday weekend travel.
Late last night, the Associated Press’ David Koenig (via FOX 35) posted:
Source: Fortune
- More than 1.8 million people went through U.S. airports Thursday, and the daily number was widely expected to cross 2 million at least once over the long holiday weekend, which would be the highest mark since early March 2020.
- Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas warned people to expect long lines at airports and appealed for travelers to be patient.
- The rise in travel appears to be fueled by an increase in COVID-19 vaccinations as well as an improving economy. The U.S. Commerce Department said consumer spending increased in April, although not as much as in March, showing how consumers are driving a recovery from last year’s pandemic recession.
Expect Traffic!
Meanwhile, AAA is anticipating a 60% rise in traffic.
KPIX in San Francisco explained, “On Friday, some 30,000 travelers passed through Oakland International Airport. Many were taking to the skies for the first time in almost two years… Travelers that KPIX heard from said they were on their way to destinations such as Hawaii, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. Many had waited until this weekend to fly after a long, pandemic hiatus.”
And just a couple of days ago, MickeyBlog.com posted about encouraging levels of air travel:
Airlines Reporting That Leisure Air Travel Is Back to 2019 Levels
Advice from MCO
However, our friends over at Orlando International Airport remind passengers that some things haven’t yet changed.
A busy #MemorialWeekend is now approaching. 🚄✈️
Please remember:
😷 Face masks are still required in the airport & airplanes
⏰ Arrive at least 2 hours prior to your departure time
📱 Download our app for security wait times & more: https://t.co/IlcYns2pzL
✌️ Safe travels pic.twitter.com/G81JNjD9MI— Orlando International Airport (@MCO) May 28, 2021
They posted:
- Face masks are still required in the airport & airplanes.
- Arrive at least 2 hours prior to your departure time.
And the first reply to the @MCO tweet says, “Give yourself an extra 30 minutes when trying to find a parking spot in the Main Parking Garage.”
MCO. Image: File photo
Good advice! And keep it here for more on how Disney Parks cope with the uptick in visitors over the holiday weekend.
Finally, if you are traveling this Memorial Day weekend, be safe and well!
Photo Credit: Videvo.net
Are you traveling this weekend? Let us know in the comments below!
Feature Image: Photo: GrayDC.com
