OIA officials
Better economy and low gas prices may be factors in the rise of travel, officials say
expect 3 million passengers — up 7 percent from the same time last year — for the winter holiday travel season. Airport officials say Dec. 23 could see 155,000 passengers.
The holiday season is expected to be a busy travel time at the Orlando International Airport.
Airport officials expect nearly 3 million passengers — up 7 percent from the same time last year — for the winter holiday travel season. Airport officials announced the holiday forecast during a press conference Thursday.
Dec. 23 is projected to be the busiest day in late December and early January when 155,000 passengers are expected to fly in and out of the airport.
The improved economy and low gas prices — which free up people’s budgets to spend more on travel — could be factors in the rise this holiday, said airport spokeswoman Carolyn Fennell.
A gallon of gas is an average of $2.40 in Florida, nearly 30 percent less than Christmas Day 2013 when it was $3.37, according to AAA.
“People are wanting to travel,” Fennell said of Central Florida, which she called “the most visited destination in the country.”
An estimated 5.6 million Floridians will travel 50 miles or more for the holidays, travel club AAA said this week.
Most will drive, although about 300,000 state residents will fly and another 210,000 will ride buses, trains or cruise ships.
The Transportation Security Administration is warning people to arrive three hours before scheduled flights and not to bring liquids or gels greater than 3.4 ounces in carry-on luggage.
“Pack your patience!” an airport news release also said Thursday.
Airport officials also highlighted the new parking garage C, which added 1,700 spaces when it opened last month.
AAA estimates 107.3 million travelers — 3 percent more compared to last year — when the holiday travel season starts Dec. 23 and ends Jan. 1.
“2017 marks the ninth consecutive year of rising year-end holiday travel,” AAA said in a news release this week, which followed the trend from the rest of 2017. “Across the board this year, travel has increased yearover-year for every major holiday weekend — Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving.”
For Florida, it’s been a record-breaking year in the tourism industry.
Despite Hurricane Irma, Visit Florida announced that 88.2 million people visited the state — a 3 percent increase from the same time period in 2016 — during the first nine months of the year.
“People are wanting to travel,” airport spokeswoman Carolyn Fennell said of Central Florida, which she called “the most visited destination in the country.”
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