PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG\/WECP) -Spring break is cleared for takeoff in the Florida Panhandle, and so is the rush at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur big hit comes in the first weekend in March,\u201d said Parker McClellan, ECP\u2019s Executive Director, \u201cwe kick off for the month of March, just as they do on the beach.\u201d<\/p>\n
March means more flights, more passengers, and more movement through the terminal.<\/p>\n
But airport leaders say it\u2019s not just the crowds that travelers need to plan for.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re looking at some different roadway issues because we\u2019ve got the construction going,\u201d said McClellan, \u201cWe\u2019re going to have more people on the curb, there\u2019s going to be a lot more movement of traffic.\u201d<\/p>\n
With less curb space and more cars circling, timing will be everything.<\/p>\n
Airport officials say a little prep work can go a long way.<\/p>\n
\u201cMake sure you check your flight schedule, get the app on your phone so that you know what\u2019s happening with your flight,\u201d said McClellan, \u201cso if it gets delayed, you\u2019re not coming to the airport four hours early.\u201d <\/p>\n
They recommend arriving about an hour and a half to two hours before your flight, giving yourself plenty of time to clear security and make your gate.<\/p>\n
To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WJHG on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a> and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Email news@wjhg.com<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Keep up with all the biggest headlines on the WJHG News app<\/a>, and check out what\u2019s happening outside using the WJHG Weather app<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 WJHG. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n