EDMONTON — Friday marks the busiest travel day of the year for airports around the country, as families reunite for the holidays.
For the Edmonton International Airport, it may even be the busiest day ever.
“I’m pretty sure we’re going to set a record, probably hitting close to 25,000 passengers,” predicts Heather Hamilton, spokesperson for the Edmonton International Airport.
That number could more than double when you count the people doing the drop-offs and pick-ups. On a typical day, Hamilton estimates about 18,000 travellers come through the airport. The peak travel times, she says, tend to be between 5 to 7 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.
But if you’re travelling at any time during the holiday season, you’ll want to keep these tips in mind, to make your experience is enjoyable.
1. Arrive early at the airport.
Airport officials say this is the most important thing you can do.
“You will, I’m sure this week and probably next week, see a few people doing that Home Alone mad dash through the airport, trying to catch a plane at the last second,” says Hamilton.
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Don’t be “those” people. Give yourself plenty of extra time to get to the airport this time of year.
“People have to remember they’re much more likely to be delayed on the road than they are at the airport…it’s winter driving, you never know,” Hamilton adds.
2. Don’t wrap Christmas gifts until after your flight.
If security decides to check your gift, all that time you took to measure, cut and tape will be wasted. On the plus side, there’s free gift-wrapping past security. So your presents can still be perfectly wrapped by the time you get on the plane, if you can fit them in your carry-on.
3. Look through your carry-on bag before you leave for the airport for items that aren’t permitted.
If you need a reminder, Transport Canada has a list of items that are not allowed on flights.
4. Avoid wearing clothing which will set off the metal detector as you pass through security.
5. Check your flight status before you leave for the airport.
There’s nothing worse than arriving at the airport and seeing your flight is significantly delayed.
However, if you do find yourself in that situation, this is probably the best time of year to spend extra time at the airport. At the Edmonton International, kids have a chance to see Santa and leave a Christmas wish for him in “Santa’s Storyland.” There are also children’s choirs and local musicians performing at various areas.
READ MORE: ‘Santa bomb’? Snow, rain may hamper Christmas travel
The airport is doing its part to make your travel stress-free, by bringing in additional staff during the holidays
“It’s definitely all hands on deck to make sure that folks are moving through as quickly as possible,” says Hamilton.
*Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Dec. 17 and updated on Dec. 19 (the busiest travel day of the year).
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