Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport prepares for Thanksgiving travel

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is no stranger to being busy, with many passengers traveling through to visit the beaches. Around Thanksgiving, the airport sees an uptick in travelers, including more locals.

“We know historically that this is the time that our local residents travel, so the parking lot fills up,” Parker McClellan, the airport’s executive director. “There aren’t additional flights, but the seats are all full, and people are gone for that 10-day period.”

The 10-day period spans the Friday before Thanksgiving to the Tuesday after the holiday.

McClellan said staff is preparing for the increase.

“We work hard with our staff to make sure that we’re prepared. We’re adjusting schedules. We’re making sure the parking lot is prepared. The overflow is ready. Our shuttles are all operating and cleaned up,” McClellan said.

Passengers can take steps to help streamline the flying process.

“If everybody makes sure that they don’t have those prohibited items, that makes the process much simpler and faster,” McClellan said. “So when you get to the checkpoint, check your pockets. Check your carry-on, all that stuff. All those things make the process easier.”

The airport is also under some construction for the terminal expansion project. Airport officials said the work should affect drop-off, but it may affect pickup.

“During the pickups, that’s where the real impact is, so we ask that just waiting for the person to call, that makes the process much smoother and makes it easier on our staff,” McClellan said. “They don’t have to keep everybody moving.”

Airport leaders also want to remind passengers to check their airline’s website for delays before coming to the airport.

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