NORTH CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) – Charleston International Airport officials are expecting an increase in travelers after this year’s Fourth of July weekend.
On Sundays, traffic at the airport seems to depend on departure and arrival times, causing congestion and longer queues.
Spencer Pryor, deputy executive director and communications director for Charleston International Airport, listed five top travel tips ahead of the holiday weekend:
- Plan ahead: Check your flight status. Expect larger crowds and longer wait times.
- Allow time for parking: Drivers should allow extra time for remote parking and shuttle service to the terminal. A complimentary shuttle service is available if you need to park in a remote/seasonal lot.
- Arrive early: Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights to account for increased security checks and potential delays.
- Baggage Check-in: Use CHS Check ‘N Go’s complimentary baggage check-in service for domestic travel. Two stations are located on the terminal entrance curb and a remote check-in station is located on the 2nd level of the daily parking lot.
- Pack smart: Follow TSA guidelines for liquids, gels, and electronics. Consider using TSA PreCheck to speed up the process.
A couple driving home to Montana said they were expecting a day of heavy traffic during the holiday, so they used some of these tips.
“To make sure we had everything we needed, we traveled as light as possible and left early enough to get through the crowds,” said traveler Les Kahler.
Kahler said he and his wife arrived at the airport six hours before their departure time, but the airline told them they couldn’t check in two hours early.
Despite AAA’s prediction that 5.74 million people would fly on Independence Day, some continued their travels as normal.
“I probably packed more stuff than I ever have before, and I didn’t pay attention. We all went out and probably did the exact opposite of what everyone told us to do, and we got here with no problems,” said traveler Angie Isaac.
Charleston International Airport said it is committed to providing a smooth and safe travel experience for vacations, business trips or family reunions throughout the summer.
Airport officials have not yet released figures on traffic during the week of July 4.
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