Expect Holiday Crowds At Airports Through New Year

Anyone taking to the friendly skies to visit family or friends for the upcoming holidays can expect bigger than usual crowds.

At West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW) in Charleston, construction is underway – but not likely to cause many delays for travelers, said airport officials.

“We have started phase one of the CRW next pre-security terminal project, so if you haven’t been to the airport in a while you’re going to notice that we have some construction in many areas of the terminal,” Paige Withrow, Yeager’s chief marketing officer, said.  

What could cause delays? Travelers who wrap presents before they go through security – and have to unwrap them on-site – and those who forget to limit liquids, including gels, creams and aerosols, to 3.4 ounces or less for carry ons. 

Withrow said there will be bigger crowds through New Year’s – in part because the airport has added new flights through Breeze Airways.

“We expect around 7,800 passengers to pass through the security checkpoint at the airport. So a little bit of an increase from last year, and that runs from Thanksgiving all the way through New Year’s,” she said. 

Passengers who don’t yet have their REAL IDs – which meet higher, federal security standards – have until Feb. 1 before they’ll face a new $45 fee. 

“You still have time, if you haven’t yet, to go and get your REAL ID. If you haven’t done that and you do have upcoming travel, maybe make an appointment with your local DMV,” Withrow said.

Passports may also be used.