After TSA screens 2.8M passengers Thursday, it warns of crowded airports over weekend

by Sydney Dunlap - 03/29/24 11:28 AM ET

Passengers arrive at the Orlando Airport with a flight information display system in the background. — Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel via AP
Passengers arrive at Terminal C at Orlando International Airport, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Orlando, Fla., during the busy 2024 Spring Break travel season. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority estimates more than 7.6 million passengers will pass through OIA from February 24 to April 7, topping the total number of passengers that flew in the 2023 Christmas holiday season.

The TSA encouraged travelers to get to the airport early as Easter weekend started, after it recorded its 10th-busiest day ever on Thursday.

TSA agents screened about 2.79 million individuals, the agency said Friday on X, formerly Twitter, making it the first 2024 date to reach the top 10 of volume days. The agency warned that this weekend is also expected to be busy with “Spring Break in full swing.”

Six of the screening agency’s busiest 10 days occurred in 2023, including the busiest travel day, Nov. 26.

With the pandemic fully in the rearview mirror, Americans are traveling in record numbers.

There is a 28 percent increase in cruise bookings for March and April compared to last year and a 60 percent increase for cruises departing from South Florida, according to AAA.

AAA data shows international destinations are also increasing, with international flight bookings up 20 percent and international hotel bookings up 37 percent.

In early March, TSA predicted 2024 travel volumes would be about 6 percent above the same period in 2023. The agency said it would work with airline and airport partners to do their best at maintaining wait times of 30 minutes or less.

Tags Spring Break TSA