On July 4, 78,000 people were tested and the number of spectators is expected to increase on Saturday and Sunday.
ATLANTA — The world’s busiest airport continues to break records during one of the busiest travel seasons ever, and this Fourth of July weekend is no exception.
“We’ve been very busy,” Kevin Ramer said. “We’ve had a full flight and we’ve been working side by side almost since we got off the plane.”
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has recorded at least five days this summer where daily passenger counts were expected to exceed 99,000. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said it expects a surge of passengers nationwide that could lead to new records this weekend.
“The trains are packed today, packed to the gills,” said Dujuan Free, who often flies through Atlanta. “It’s been very busy … but Hartsfield is a packed airport.”
A TSA spokesperson said 78,000 people were screened on July 4, noting that fewer people tend to fly on the holiday. They expected passenger numbers to increase over the weekend.
RELATED: Airport parking among challenges facing travelers this July 4th
“I always wanted to visit Atlanta,” said Edna, who came from Brazil. “I remember Atlanta a few years ago…the Olympics were here.”
She travels to the United States every year. Atlanta seemed like the ideal choice for 2024, just a few weeks before the Paris Olympics.
According to the TSA, the busiest times at Atlanta airport security checkpoints are typically between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., when departing travelers can expect to encounter a large number of travelers leaving the airport.
The TSA said the next wave of high travel volumes begins around 3 p.m. and continues into the evening.