ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014\u00a0The holiday travel season may be winding down at Orlando International Airport, but airport officials say the busiest days are still ahead.<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
Orlando International Airport expects over 350,000 passengers this weekend
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More than 196,000 passengers are projected each day
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Travelers should arrive early and plan for crowds<\/p>\n
MCO is preparing for what it says could be the most crowded weekend of the entire holiday travel season, with hundreds of thousands of passengers expected to move through the airport over the next few days as travelers head home.<\/p>\n
Airport officials say they were expecting over 350,000 total passengers moving through MCO during this final stretch of holiday travel. Jan. 3 was projected to be the single busiest day of the entire holiday period, with more than 196,000 passengers arriving and departing. Sunday, Jan. 4, follows closely behind.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all know that Orlando is a popular destination and that our population has grown over the past several years,\u201d said Angela Starke with Orlando International Airport. \u201cSo, this has just prompted more people to come to Orlando and use the airport.\u201d<\/p>\n
Travelers are already adjusting their plans to prepare for the crowds.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am here much earlier than usual,\u201d said traveler Morgan Gaines.<\/p>\n
Another traveler, Kathleen Vergnolle, says her family also arrived to the airport early.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe travel with chaos, but my husband does like to come to the airport early,\u201d Vergnolle said.<\/p>\n
The spike in passengers comes as the airport continues a major gate link replacement project near gates 100 through 129. Officials say most passengers should expect no more than a 15-minute impact, even during peak travel hours, though some travelers may need to use shuttle buses in that area.<\/p>\n
Airport officials are urging travelers to plan ahead.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe always say pack your patience and we really mean that because it is going to be crowded,\u201d Starke said. \u201cWe do plan to have a projection of more passengers this holiday season than last holiday season.\u201d<\/p>\n
MCO officials remind travelers to give themselves plenty of time to check in luggage, get through TSA, and monitor their flight status ahead of arrival to avoid delays during this busy travel weekend.<\/p>\n
Caribbean flights canceled<\/p>\n