By Special to the AFRO
Peak summer travel season is underway, with more busy summer weekends ahead.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Air service and passenger traffic continues to grow, with new airlines and the return of several domestic and international routes.
“There is a high demand for air travel this summer; we are working closely with our partners to help provide a safe, efficient, and positive airport experience,” said Ricky Smith, Executive Director of BWI Marshall Airport.
A departing passenger traffic at BWI Marshall reached a new high point for travel on June 23, with a total of 31,436 departing passengers- a significant increase in traffic that had subsided during the pandemic. That figure surpassed the previous busiest day during the pandemic, which was the day before Thanksgiving 2021.
Those traveling through BWI Marshall Airport in the coming weeks are reminded to arrive early to give themselves plenty of time for parking, airline check-in, and the security screening process. Passengers should arrive at BWI Marshall two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. Real-time security checkpoint, parking data and airline flight information is available on the BWI Marshall Airport website.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reminds passengers to plan ahead for travel and remember security checkpoint procedures. Packing properly is important to help ensure a smooth checkpoint experience. The TSA website and myTSA app provide important information regarding prohibited items and how to pack to avoid checkpoint delays.
Local customers should check flight status information with the airline before coming to the airport to catch a flight or to pick up or drop off passengers. Motorists should consider using the upper level roadway, or departures level, to pick up passengers. This helps drivers avoid the lower level roadway which can be congested, particularly in the late afternoon or evening hours.
Though sufficient parking capacity is expected, BWI Marshall recently reopened the Express Parking lot to provide an additional 1,400 spaces for customers. Parking shuttles may experience occasional service delays during peak periods due to the nationwide driver shortages.
BWI Marshall Airport features an award-winning concessions program, which includes a number of popular local food and retail options. The airport offers GateWaiter, a mobile ordering platform that allows travelers to order their favorite food for pick-up or delivery inside the airport directly from their smartphone or digital device. GateWaiter enhances the customer experience and provides a simple, touchless way to enjoy BWI Marshall concessions.
The busy Fourth of July holiday weekend is another indication of improving passenger traffic for BWI Marshall Airport and for the air travel industry. Passenger traffic at BWI Marshall rebounded strongly in 2021, reaching 18.8 million for the year, an increase of 68 percent compared to 2020. Further growth is expected in 2022, as more international and domestic service resumes and is added. Three new airlines – PLAY, Icelandair and Avelo Airlines – started service at BWI Marshall this year. Several international airlines returned in 2022, including British Airways, Air Canada, and Condor.
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