Holiday travel at Tweed Airport sparks traffic and crowding concerns

NEW HAVEN, CT (WFSB) – This holiday season, travelers flying in and out of Tweed Airport experienced both convenience and frustration, as busy days saw a spike in traffic, causing headaches for those trying to pick up loved ones or navigate the airport.

The Sunday after Christmas marked a peak travel day, with long lines and congested streets.

During this time, the area surrounding the airport was described as a “sea of brake lights,” as people rushed to meet arriving passengers.

AAA reported that holiday travel this year is expected to increase by about 3% compared to last year, breaking the record set in 2019, before the pandemic.

However, this surge in travelers has led to overcrowded parking lots, longer waits at security, and slower airport operations overall.

Many travelers expressed frustration over the growing difficulty of getting in and out of Tweed, with some noting the long delays.

Local residents also reported frequent traffic backups in the surrounding areas, particularly during peak travel hours.

“This airport needs an expansion, versus JFK, or versus Bradley,” said Jordan Laudano, a traveler at Tweed, referring to the crowded conditions.

To accommodate the increase in passengers, Tweed recently welcomed Breeze Airways in addition to its long-standing Avelo Airlines flights, further increasing traffic.

In response to growing concerns, airport officials have attempted to address the issue by adding additional staff and resources to handle the congestion.

However, they acknowledged that the combination of increased passenger numbers and the extra time needed for de-icing planes during winter months has compounded the delays.

Despite these efforts, the holiday rush has highlighted the need for an expansion to meet the growing demand.

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