Atlanta airport braces for 2.3 million

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport said it expects 2.3 million passengers to move through its terminals from Wednesday, September 2, through Wednesday, September 9, during the Labor Day travel period. The airport said the total would be a record for the holiday stretch and about 1% above last year’s level. Friday, September 4, is forecast to be the busiest day, with more than 335,000 travelers expected. Local outlets including FOX 5 Atlanta and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported the forecast on September 1 and September 2, citing an airport press release. ### Why is the airport calling this a record Labor Day period? The 2.3 million-passenger forecast covers an eight-day window from September 2 through September 9, according to Hartsfield-Jackson’s press release as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. The airport said that total would top the comparable Labor Day travel period a year earlier by 1%. Hartsfield-Jackson has described itself as the world’s busiest passenger airport on its official history page, and holiday surges routinely test the airport’s roadways, parking decks and security checkpoints. (fox5atlanta.com) The Labor Day projection gives the airport one of its heaviest short holiday stretches of the year before the fall travel season. ### When will the crowds be at their worst? Friday, September 4, is expected to be the peak day, with more than 335,000 passengers passing through the airport, according to the airport release cited by FOX 5 Atlanta and the AJC. (fox5atlanta.com) The AJC said Labor Day travel is often compressed into a shorter period than some other holiday travel windows, which can intensify congestion. (atl.com) AAA data cited by the AJC also pointed to heavy road traffic around the holiday, with Thursday between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Friday between noon and 8 p.m. expected to be among the busiest times for drivers. That raises the prospect of delays not only at checkpoints and gates, but also on airport approach roads and pickup lanes. ### What are airport officials telling passengers to do? (fox5atlanta.com) Airport officials said domestic passengers should arrive at least two hours before departure and international passengers three hours before departure. The airport also urged travelers to check airline apps or websites for flight status, gate information and baggage rules before leaving home. (ajc.com) The airport said travelers can monitor real-time parking availability, security wait times and concession information through ATL’s website and official social media channels. Drivers meeting arriving passengers were also told to watch flight status updates to avoid extra traffic around pickup areas. ### Are higher travel costs part of the picture this year? (fox5atlanta.com) AAA data cited by the AJC showed average domestic airfare up 2% from a year earlier to about $750 for a round-trip ticket. The newspaper said fares to the most popular Labor Day destinations were running nearly 20% above last year, while domestic hotel bookings were up 9%. Georgia gas prices averaged about $3.80 a gallon on Tuesday, according to AAA figures cited by the AJC and FOX 5 Atlanta. (fox5atlanta.com) FOX 5 Atlanta said Georgians heading out for one last summer trip should expect to pay more whether they are driving or flying. ### What happens next over the holiday week? September 2 through September 9 is the travel window covered by the airport’s forecast, and September 4 is the day officials expect to be busiest. (ajc.com) Hartsfield-Jackson said passengers should keep checking airline updates, while the airport’s own parking and security information will update in real time as the holiday rush moves through the terminal complex. (fox5atlanta.com)