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Fly smart: NW Florida Beaches International Airport offers some holiday travel tips

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Fly smart: NW Florida Beaches International Airport offers some holiday travel tips

PANAMA CITY — Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) is offering travel tips for tourists this holiday season. The tips likely will come in handy.

According to AAA, the number of Floridians engaging in air travel during the Thanksgiving travel period (defined as the Tuesday before Thanksgiving through the Monday after the holiday) was expected to increase from 284,411 in 2023 to 289,168 this year.

The number of air travelers nationwide was expected to increase from 5.7 million to 5.8 million for that same period.

AAA has not yet announced its Christmas holiday travel forecast.

Northwest Florida Beaches International already has had a busy year. It has served 1.66 million passengers so far in 2024, which is just 2,680 short of its entire number for all of 2023.

Here are the airport’s holiday travel tips:

Arrive early; pack your patience

Since airport traffic likely will be high, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommends arriving at least two hours before domestic flights.

Parking made easier

ECP offers free shuttle service to and from parked vehicles. Call 850-636-8971.

Go digital

“Download your airline’s app to streamline check-in and stay updated with the latest flight information,” the airport says.

Related coverage: Northwest Florida Beaches Airport surpasses annual passenger record in November

Related news: Are you catching a flight during the Thanksgiving travel period? The TSA has some advice

Fly early in the day

“Early departures tend to have fewer delays,” the airport says.

Careful packing

Review TSA’s carry-on rules. “If it can spill, spread, spray, pump, or pour and is over 3.4 ounces, it should go in your checked bag.”

Nathan Cobb contributed to this report.

DCSmith@gannett.com 

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