by Donald Wood
Last updated: 8:20 AM ET, Tue December 11, 2018
Industry trade organization Airlines for America (A4A) announced Tuesday that it projects 45.7 million passengers will travel on United States airlines over the 18-day winter holiday travel period.
This year's holiday travel period runs between December 20 and January 6, and officials believe the busiest travel days will be (in order), December 21, December 20 and December 26. The lightest travel days are expected to be Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, followed by January 5.
"With airfares at historic lows, travelers are choosing to fly on U.S. airlines in record numbers, especially during the busy holiday season," A4A vice president John Heimlich said. "Increased consumer choices and fares that match nearly every budget have enabled a record number of people take to the skies to visit loved ones, conduct business or enjoy a holiday getaway."
The 45.7 million projected passengers would be a 5.2 percent increase over the estimated 43.4 million passengers who flew during the comparable timeframe last year. Airlines in the U.S. also expect an average of 2.54 million passengers per day, an increase of 126,000 travelers per day from last year.
In anticipation of the increase in passenger traffic, U.S. airlines continue to work collaboratively with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure the safety of travelers and crew members following what became the busiest Thanksgiving air travel period in history.
"Airlines are investing and work in close coordination with the TSA, including by expanding the use of biometrics and innovative screening technology and encouraging more passengers to enroll in Trusted Traveler Programs," A4A vice president Lauren Beyer said. "These innovations make us more secure and improve the passenger experience. The security of our passengers and crew is always the industry's top priority, especially during the busy holiday travel season."
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