Tampa International Airport preparing for busy Thanksgiving travel period

TPA news conference on Thanksgiving travel preps

Officials at Tampa International Airport gave an update Wednesday morning about preparations for what could be a record-breaking Thanksgiving travel period.

TAMPA, Fla. - With AAA projecting record-breaking travel numbers this Thanksgiving, Tampa International Airport is preparing for the large influx of passengers taking to the skies.

Airport officials say about 80,000 passengers per day will pass through TPA over the next two weeks. This Sunday, Nov. 24, will likely be the busiest day, with projections showing more than 85,000 passengers.

From Tuesday, Nov. 26 through Monday, Dec. 2, AAA says nearly 80 million people nationwide will travel at least 50 miles. That includes 4.5 million Floridians.

Preparing for holiday travel

FOX 13’s Kellie Cowan shows us how Tampa International Airport is preparing for what could be a record-breaking Thanksgiving travel season.

About 5.8 million people are expected to fly, including roughly 290,000 Florida residents, according to AAA's projections. Those numbers would surpass previous records set in 2023.

TPA officials say longer lines are expected at ticket counters and security checkpoints, along with parking garages potentially reaching capacity.

"We encourage you to come early," TPA Vice President of Operations Benjamin Robins said, adding that arriving two hours early for domestic flights, and three hours early for international flights, is the typical guideline.

Officials at Tampa International Airport are preparing for a busy Thanksgiving travel season, with AAA projecting record numbers nationwide.

It's not just the larger crowds, though, that will lead to longer lines. Ongoing construction projects to expand security checkpoints at Airsides A and E, along with the shuttle replacement project, are also factors.

"Those passengers who are flying Delta, Frontier, Air Canada, please provide an extra 20-30 minute buffer," Robins said.

As for security screenings, TSA officials urge everyone not to bring "anything that could be used as a weapon" to a checkpoint, noting that agents found a record number of guns at Bay Area airports during Veterans Day weekend.

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TSA Federal Security Director Kirk Skinner also addressed the frequently asked question: can I bring food and drinks onto a flight?

"Liquid and gel rules still apply," Skinner said. "However, for baked goods: if you baked it, you can bring it."

For more information on what travelers can, and can't, bring to airport security checkpoints, click here.

To check the status of your flight into or out of TPA, click here.

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