While Santa might have free rein of the sky on Dec. 24, the rest of us looking to fly for the holiday season will have to pass through an airport instead. At Calgary International, workers and volunteers are set to deal with an onslaught of travellers as the calendar gets closer to Christmas.
“The days leading up to Christmas is definitely busier,” said Sarah Urbanowski, manager of corporate communications for the Calgary Airport Authority. “We’re going to see approximately 51,000 passengers on our busiest travel day.”
“Those peak days leading to Christmas, you’re going to see a lot of extra people either heading home for the holiday season or coming into Calgary for a visit. Those key days are around Dec. 20 to 22.”
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With an increase in passengers moving through the terminals, the airport is giving some advice — and a helping hand — to make what can be a stressful holiday travel season a bit easier.
Those travelling with gifts in their carry-on are being told to make sure they stay unwrapped as airport security agents may need to inspect the packages more closely. However, you can still put a bow on your package before you get to where you’re going.
“During the peak travel days (Wednesday through Friday), you’ll definitely get some help from our gift-wrappers post-security,” Urbanowski said, recommending that travellers check the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) website for a complete list of what is and is not allowable in checked baggage.
If a warm and sunny destination is in your travel plans, Urbanowski said the airport is also offering a unique service for those travellers.
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“You’ll definitely want to leave your winter coat and boots, those bulkier items that you don’t need at your sunnier destination, at our info booth in our domestic terminal,” she said, noting the cost for the program is $2 per item.
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For those who find themselves struggling to get into the holiday spirit, the airport has a solution for that as well.
“Our holiday music program … is back for the third year in a row,” Urbanowski said. “We’ve got everything from choirs and local talent that are going to be performing throughout the terminal over the busy period.”
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