AAA predicts record-breaking numbers for Fourth of July travel

Airports will be busier than ever with the July Fourth holiday approaching. The TSA is breaking records for the numbers of individuals screened.

Many of those travelers will be flying out of Central New York, according to Syracuse AAA travel agent Robin Mitchell.

“It has been busier than we’ve seen probably in the last six, seven years,” Mitchell said. “A lot of travel to Italy, Greece, a lot of European travel, a lot of cruises. Very popular this year.”

Mitchell advises fliers to get to the airport early, make parking reservations and use the airlines app to sign in. She also said you need to bring more than luggage.

“People have to pack their patience,” Mitchell said. “It is summertime, there are thunderstorms, there are weather delays, there are mechanicals, things come up, so you just have to be patience.”

Overall the AAA is anticipating this July 4th week to be the busiest travel week ever, with an additional 5.7 million people traveling compared to 2019. They project almost 71 million people flying or driving over this year’s holiday.