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The annual Thanksgiving travel rush has already kicked off at Newark Liberty International Airport. Terminals and parking lots were reportedly bustling yesterday, signaling the start of one of the busiest times for air travel.
According to AAA, an estimated 4.7 million people will spend part of their holiday break in the air, marking a 7% increase from last year. This is predicted to be the greatest number of travelers since 2005. The surge in demand, coupled with construction and staffing shortages at TSA checkpoints, means passengers should brace for longer wait times.
Tomorrow and Wednesday are typically the busiest days of the Thanksgiving week. Passenger numbers at Newark Liberty International Airport are expected to reach more than 90% of pre-pandemic levels. Saturday and Sunday are also expected to be busy at the airport as travelers make their way home after Thanksgiving.
Newark Liberty International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States. In 2022, the airport served 21,533,817 passengers, representing an increase of 48.65% compared to 2021.