by Donald Wood
Last updated: 2:10 PM ET, Mon November 13, 2023
Airlines across the United States and the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) revealed they are expecting a record number of
travelers during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period.
The holiday period—which runs between Friday, November 17
and Tuesday, November 28—TSA officials expect to screen 30 million passengers, with
the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after being the
busiest.
In total, the government agency estimates that 2.6 million
passengers will be screened on Tuesday, November 21; 2.7 million passengers on
Wednesday, November 22; and 2.9 million passengers on Sunday, November 26.
“We expect this holiday season to be our busiest ever,” TSA
Administrator David Pekoske said. “In 2023, we have already seen seven of the
top 10 busiest travel days in TSA’s history.”
“We are ready for the anticipated volumes and are working
closely with our airline and airport partners to make sure we are prepared for
this busy holiday travel season,” Pekoske continued. “I am grateful for our
dedicated employees who continue to remain vigilant and focused on the mission
during this holiday travel season and beyond.”
The airline industry group representing American, Delta, United
and others, Airlines for America (A4A), revealed that an estimated 29.9 million
passengers will travel through airports between November 17-27.
The 29.9 million travelers estimate would be an all-time
high for the Thanksgiving period and an increase of nine percent compared to
last year. The total would also be up 1.7 million passengers over pre-COVID
record levels.
Airlines for America believes 3.2 million passengers will
travel via commercial carrier on November 26, with U.S. airlines offering an
average of 253,000 more seats per day than in 2022.
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