DFW Readies for Millions of Travelers Over Holiday

Airport expects 3.6 percent increase in holiday traffic over 2011

DFW International Airport is expecting 100,000 more Thanksgiving travelers this year compared to last.

If the estimate holds, more than two million people will pass through the airport during the 11-day Thanksgiving holiday travel period that begins Friday.

The airport said with the increase in passengers, travelers are advised to arrive at the airport more than 2 hours before their flight.

With the higher holiday traffic, officials at the airport are reminding travelers about the new passenger pickup area at Terminal E, where construction is currently under way.

The Waiting Area is designed to reduce congestion on the upper level roadway of Terminal E, where construction has taken away almost half of the curbside passenger pickup space.  Permanent and temporary signs will direct drivers to the waiting area, conveniently located on the infield parking section of Terminal E, a two-minute drive from most curbside pickup locations.  Motorists can wait there until their awaited passenger arrives curbside, since there will be no idling allowed at terminal curbsides during the holiday season due to heavy volume at DFW Airport overall.

The airport is also opening 1,100 new parking spaces in the Express North Parking Lot on Thanksgiving Day, where travelers can get a free shuttle, bottle of water and newspaper.

The Thanksgiving travel period runs from Nov. 16 through Nov. 26, with the busiest air travel days being the Sunday and Monday after the holiday.  On those days, more than 184,000 people are expected to pass through the airport each day.

Contact Us