CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Airports across North Carolina are expecting to see an influx of travelers throughout the Christmas season.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport estimates 1.6 million passengers will depart from the airport from Dec. 14 to Jan. 3, which is 13% more than last year.
The airport has made adjustments to make the traveling experience smoother for passengers. This includes re-routing shuttle buses to reduce roadway traffic congestion.
Some passengers say their holiday commute at the airport went over well.
Jonathan Haynsworth and his family are flying to Kansas.
He says this is the first time they’ve flown during the Christmas season.
Overall, Haynsworth says they had no issues with congestion.
“We were just here a couple weeks ago for a soccer event traveling to Florida, and it was more [busy] then so this actually isn’t too bad,” Haynsworth said
But some passengers are having a different experience.
Stella Marie and Elodie Marie are sisters.
They’re taking a flight to Florida to spend quality time with family.
Elodie Marie says they encountered some headaches ahead of their flight.
“We got here at a decent time to be able to catch our flight but the traffic was really, really bad,” Elodie Marie said. “I would say we need more signs and different things to direct people because the arrival lane was the lane that was backed up compared to the departure. So I would have preferred different things to help with that so we don’t have to sit in traffic for about 30 minutes.”
The Marie sisters are ready to put the travel stress behind them and enjoy a warmer Christmas experience with loved ones.
“Enjoying time with family and having fun,” Stella Marie said.
Charlotte Douglas is advising passengers to arrive and be inside of the terminal two hours prior for domestic flights and three hours before an international flight.