According to TSA, the busiest days for air travel are the Fridays before and the Sundays after major holidays. Busier airports can make travel even more stressful than usual.
“We anticipate, you know, the couple of days right before Christmas, right after Christmas, and right before and after the New Year’s, to always pick up with that travel to see families or families coming back here to visit,” said Katie Reed, the Airport Communications and Air Service Manager for the Casper Natrona County International Airport.
One of the simplest ways to manage stress and ensure a smooth airport experience is to arrive early. The Casper airport recommends arriving 90 minutes before your flight, especially if you’re checking a bag.
“As with all travel, we recommend you show up early this time of year. Give yourself a little extra time,” said Reed. “We know it’s been a mild winter, but that could change at any given moment. So make sure you give yourself enough time.”
It’s also important to pack appropriately. Leave the liquids in your checked bag, but feel free to keep the fruitcake in your carry-on.
The airport also advises against wrapping presents.
“When you’re going through TSA, make sure you keep your gifts unwrapped or in a gift bag or gift box that’s unsealed, just in case something gets flagged, and TSA does have to check that item,” said Reed. “We don’t want your presents getting absolutely ruined or ripped because they’re wrapped up.”
Other larger airports may see higher traveler numbers during the holidays compared to Casper.
“So the airport has our set number of flights per day, and we know that on average, about 80% of each flight that comes in or out is full,” explained Reed. “So there’s a little bit of room for additional people to be on our flights, but we aren’t expecting an overwhelming number of passengers compared to any other day.”
The Casper Airport is seeing a trend in increased travel. Their numbers were up in October and November despite the government shutdown.
“In November, around Thanksgiving, and just for the month in total, we saw a ten-year high comparing November to November for enplanements, or people boarding the plane here in Casper,” said Reed.
However, the airport can’t share its December numbers just yet.
“Our annual guess and win contest is coming out later this month, where the public gets to guess based off of the January through November enplanement numbers what they think our final enplanement number for the year is going to be,” said Reed.
The winner of the guessing contest will receive Casper airport swag, along with prizes from businesses on airport property.
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