Capital Region International Airport ready for holiday travel surge
Passengers advised to follow simple travel tips to reduce stress
LANSING, Mich. – With industry forecasts calling for an increase in travel to nearly pre-pandemic levels this holiday season, the Capital Region International Airport (LAN) is offering tips to ensure Fly Lansing travelers’ trips go as smoothly as possible.
“The airport’s team is fully prepared for the holiday rush and is committed to getting passengers to their destinations safely and efficiently,” said Nicole Noll-Williams, president and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Authority.
AAA officials are projecting a 35% increase in out-of-town travel, with more than 109 million people traveling 50 miles or more from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2. This increase would bring travel almost back to pre-pandemic levels. The organization is expecting 27.7 million more people will travel this season, and for airlines, that’s a 184% increase over last year.
Wednesday, Dec. 22 and Thursday, Dec. 23 are expected to be the busiest pre-holiday travel dates for national and local travel, and Sunday, Jan. 2 and Monday, Jan. 3 are anticipated to be the busiest days for post-holiday travel.
LAN recommends following several travel tips to make traveling over the holidays more manageable.
- Head to the airport early and relax. Airport security screening lines are fast and efficient in Lansing, but during peak periods travelers should arrive at least 90 minutes before a flight. Once you arrive at the airport, take a breath, relax and begin your vacation.
- Check your flight before you leave. To save some time waiting, check your flight’s arrival/departure status prior to leaving for the airport. Weather delays and flight changes can change the course of your travel plans. Fly Lansing travelers can check the status of flights at www.flylansing.com/flights.
- Remember your mask. Per federal guidelines, masks are required inside the airport terminal and on board your aircraft until March 18, 2022. If you forget your mask, tell an airline representative at the check-in counter and one will be provided to you.
- Follow the 3-1-1 rule: three-ounce bottles or less for all liquids, gels and aerosols, placed in a one-quart-size clear plastic zip-top bag to hold all small bottles, and one bag per passenger. Larger quantities of liquids may be packed in checked baggage.
- Be prepared. Have your one-quart bags ready in an easily accessible place before you head to the security line. Laptops must also be taken out of bags and placed in security bins. To lessen your stress and avoid the scramble to find your items in line, have everything ready for security before you hit the line.
- Dress smart. Wear comfortable clothing and easy-to-slip-on shoes. Take everything out of pockets before screening. Don’t wear clothes with a high metal content, and put heavy jewelry on after you go through security.
- Hold the wrapping for later. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommends that passengers do not travel with wrapped packages in their carry-on bags, so hold on wrapping your gifts until you make it to your destination.
Additional security information and travel tips can be found at www.TSA.gov.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 17, 2021
Contact: Katherine Japinga
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The Capital Region Airport Authority owns and operates the Capital Region International Airport (LAN), Mason Jewett Field Airport (TEW) and Port Lansing – a global logistics center and mid-Michigan’s only U.S. Port of Entry. The Capital Region International Airport is an important asset in the mid-Michigan community, driving $1 billion annually in economic impact with 700 people employed at the airport. The airport welcomes more than 352,000 visitors each year to connect throughout the country and the world. In addition to providing corporate and general aviation, the Capital Region International Airport moves 60.7 million pounds of cargo annually and is one of two airports in the state with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Federal Inspection Station. Port Lansing, mid-Michigan’s only U.S. Port of Entry and home to Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) #275 covering eight counties, also features a 48,000-square-foot cargo facility and container freight station, and 425 acres of ready-to-develop land. For more information, go to FlyLansing.com and visit the airport’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter accounts.