Tampa International Airport prepares for busy Thanksgiving travel period

Preparing for the vacation trip

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

TAMPA, Florida. – As AAA anticipates record travel numbers for Thanksgiving, Tampa International Airport is preparing for the large influx of passengers taking to the skies.

Airport officials say this Sunday, Nov. 24, will likely be the busiest day, with projections showing more than 85,000 people will pass through TPA.

As for the official Thanksgiving travel period, which runs from Tuesday, Nov. 26, to Monday, Dec. 2, AAA says nearly 80 million people nationwide will travel at least 50 miles. That includes 4.5 million Floridians.

RELATED: Record-breaking Thanksgiving trip expected “in all areas,” AAA projects

About 5.8 million people are expected to fly, including about 290,000 Florida residents, according to AAA projections. These figures would surpass previous records set in 2023.

“I would be patient if you’re heading to the airport,” said Sean Cudahy, a reporter for travel site The Points Guy. “I think with people working from home and remotely, we can expect to see crowds thin out Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before the holiday, with Wednesday being the busiest.”

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

TPA officials are urging passengers to give themselves plenty of time – not only because of larger crowds, but also because of ongoing construction projects to expand security checkpoints on the sides of the A-runways and E, as well as the shuttle replacement project.

To check the status of your flight to or from TPA, click here.

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