60,000 people expected to fly through Tucson this week

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TUCSON, Arizona (KOLD News 13) – The busiest travel day of the year has arrived. Millions of people took to the skies on Wednesday, November 24th to head home for Thanksgiving. It’s a big surge in passengers from what airlines saw last year, but it’s still a decline from normal.

Tucson International Airport expects more than 60,000 passengers arriving or departing on Thanksgiving week. That is about 50% more people than in 2020.

On Wednesday, many hugged and hugged for the first time in at least a year, if not longer.

“I’m just so excited that everyone can come and visit us. They live so far away and we have the opportunity to be together over the holidays, it’s always great fun, ”said Charlie Ybarra and picked up his son. “Definitely, definitely, love to see their smiling faces … and give them a big hug.”

Ybarra said the family failed to get together in 2020 due to the pandemic. This year is especially sweet for her to be able to see each other and spend time together. His son Tomaz Ybarra said the airports weren’t as crowded as he expected.

“I honestly had less safety to do than when I flew to San Diego two months ago in the middle of the week. Kind of surprising for the day before Thanksgiving, ”said Tomaz.

Nationwide, about 9% fewer people will fly this year than in 2019. Tucson International Airport expects a decrease of about 3% from 2019. Even with fewer people, vacation travel and crowds can be frustrating and make more people nervous.

“What we tell people is to be patient when you get to the airport. You will see lines and really full planes. We expect all of our flights to be 100% booked around this Thanksgiving holiday, ”said Bruce Goetz, COO Tucson Airport Authority.

Goetz reminds that, regardless of the vaccination status, it is mandatory to wear a mask in all parts of the airports and aircraft.

Copyright 2021 KOLD News 13. All rights reserved.

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