Holiday Travel Season Kicks Off with Busy Airports and High Expectations

Albany,NY (WRGB) — The holiday travel season is in full swing at the Albany International Airport, with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) predicting a 6% increase in passenger volume this year nationwide. Between now and January 2, TSA expects to screen nearly 40 million passengers across the country, with the busiest travel days anticipated to be this Friday, next Friday, and next Monday.

At Albany International Airport, families and friends are already making their way to holiday destinations.

Andrew, Audrey and Alexander Connors are traveling from Tampa, Florida to Vermont for a family ski trip.

The Connors family said they were relieved to have avoided long TSA lines so far.

“I hope it’s quick and easy and stuff,” Alexander said. “I hope it’s fast, so we don’t have to wait there for a long time.”

Still, the family recalled the chaos of Thanksgiving travel.

“There were a lot of long lines and a lot of waiting because everyone is traveling to different places,” Andrew and Audrey said.

Others traveling from Albany International Airport are sharing similar sentiments. Friends Khloe Reome and Lilianna, from Saratoga Springs, are heading to Charlotte, North Carolina, and said they prepared for the worst.

“Hopefully no big delays,” Reome said. “We were expecting big TSA lines, but didn’t see many, so [we’re] super happy it wasn’t a long wait.”

The Albano family, visiting the Capital Region from Tampa, is spending the holidays with their grandmother and hoping for snow.

“What’s your favorite part of Grandma’s house?” one child was asked.

“That there will be snow!” the child said with excitement.

Pete Santos, originally from Amsterdam, New York, but now living in Florida, is also visiting family in the Capital Region. He’s looking forward to introducing his kids to a classic Northeast winter.

“Definitely miss friends and family, especially during this time and year… hopefully my kids get to see snow,” Santos said.

For those traveling through Albany International Airport, TSA advises preparing ahead to avoid delays. This includes ensuring bags meet size requirements, keeping laptops inside backpacks, and leaving liquids over 3.4 ounces at home.