After surviving record-breaking Thanksgiving travel, the Houston Airport System will brace for millions more passengers this winter season. According to officials, 3.9 million will fly at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport, making it the busiest winter holiday travel to date.
“This year, according to airline seat capacity, the traveling public is beginning their holiday travel before school districts let out for the holidays so they can beat the holiday rush,” said officials with the Houston Airport System in a news release. “More than a million passengers will board flights before Harris County school districts or Houston ISD wrap the fall semester.”
The busiest days for air travel will be Dec. 15. Dec. 17 and Dec. 18 as they welcome 217,000, 201,000 and 200,000 passengers. Thursday, Dec. 14, marks the start of the winter holiday travel period for the Houston Airport System, ending on Jan. 3, 2024. Throughout the 21-day travel period, Bush Airport will see 3 million passengers while Hobby Airport will welcome 849,000 people. Travel rates rose by 16% in comparison to last year and at least 6% percent based on 2019 data.
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For those making last-minute plans to travel, the best time to book flights will be Dec. 25 and Dec. 30. On Christmas Day, Houston airports iexpect just 159,000 passengers and 154,000 on Dec. 30.
The Houston Airport System offers these tips for those looking to beat the crowds on the day of arrival:
- Reserve parking online and arrive at the airport early
- A lot of people flying in and out of Houston’s airports equates to more people parking at the airport, checking their luggage, accessing ticketing counters and going through TSA security screening
- More people are also predicted to be on Houston-area roads potentially impact travel times to the airport
- Construction of the new international terminal continues at Bush Airport
- Do not park at the curb to avoid getting towed
- Avoid driving in a loop around the airport while waiting for passengers as it causes traffic congestion
- Wait at the cell phone lots until passengers arrive at the curb