OIA expects busy July 4 holiday
With several attractions opening at the theme parks, the already bustling Orlando International Airport is expecting a July 4 weekend with about 6 percent more passengers than last year’s holiday, officials said Tuesday.
“We're growing,” said Brian Engle, the airport’s customer service director. “There's just so much out there that’s new. People are coming back.”
Officials held a news conference Tuesday to unveil the latest estimate that 1.7 million passengers will use the airport during the next 13 days. The announcement comes at an already busy time for travelers across the country and in Central Florida.
Orlando Sanford International Airport predicted flights up 3 percent during the holiday time, spokeswoman Lauren Rowe said, adding there will be about 300 spaces of overflow parking available on the grass.
Travel club AAA predicts about 44.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home, a nearly 3 percent increase over last year’s record for the holiday weekend.
Among them will be an estimated 2.3 million Floridians, up about 5 percent from last year, according to AAA.
The majority of those travelers — many of whom are eager to make a long trip during the July 4th holiday that falls on a Tuesday this year — will likely drive instead of fly especially as gas prices dip.
At Orlando International, Uber and Lyft are also preparing to pick up passengers beginning Saturday, thanks to a new state law nullifying local regulation that had restricted the practice.
That’s also expected to be the airport’s peak travel day this holiday weekend — with nearly 149,000 people flying in and out.
Ride-hailing cars will pick up passengers on Level 2 at the airport outside baggage claim, airport spokeswoman Carolyn Fennell said.
Taxis will also be moving up to Level 2 in a different area from Lyft and Uber.
By Saturday, signs should be up directing people where to go, Fennell said.
Engle said he did not know how the new ride-hailing rules will impact the airport, especially during a particularly busy travel time.
“It’s going to be interesting to see how that plays out,” he said.
After Saturday, the next busiest day should be July 8 with about 146,500 passengers, according to the airport. July 4 will likely be the slowest day during the holiday period with only about 116,000 passengers arriving and departing.
In the past few weeks, all the major theme parks debuted new rides or parks — from SeaWorld’s virtual-reality roller coaster to Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay and the Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom.
For hotels in the region, it will be difficult for a significant increase in demand this July 4 holiday, said Daryl Cronk, senior director of market research at Visit Orlando.
“When you're already running such high occupancy, it's hard to show year-over-year growth," Cronk said.
At Tuesday’s news conference, OIA officials said they are not expecting significant delays at security lines, which are expected to take about 20 minutes for passengers to go through. Extra TSA employees will be called to work and help although officials would not say how many.
OIA officials warned passengers traveling domestically should arrive at least two hours early.
“Just pack your patience,” Engle said. “Get here early."