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ORLANDO, Fla. – Following the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision to lift the flight-reduction mandate, which was imposed during the government shutdown, airlines are back to normal operations. As a result, Orlando International Airport anticipates a modest uptick in travelers for the Thanksgiving holiday.
According to airport authorities, close to 1.9 million passengers are projected to navigate through MCO during the festive season.
“Orlando consistently ranks among the top holiday travel destinations nationwide, and we at Orlando International Airport are fully prepared,” stated Lance Lyttle, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
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This week, numerous travelers expressed their anxiety, stemming from recent uncertainties. Ruby Stewart, who is heading back to New York, shared her concerns about the possibility of her flight being canceled.
“I was praying, ‘Lord, please don’t let my flight be cancelled,’” she said. “I thought it would be canceled, so I bought travel protection just in case.”
Others decided to shift their travel plans entirely out of concern of holiday travel.
Melissa Izaguirre of San Antonio said she had concerns about delays and cancellations prompted her to vacation the week before Thanksgiving.
“I was really concerned about traveling this Thanksgiving week, which is why we came the week before and are leaving today,” she said.
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MCO officials have Sunday, Nov. 23rd as the fourth-busiest day of the Thanksgiving travel period, with 169,728 travelers expected through the airport. The busiest day is projected to be the Sunday after Thanksgiving, with 177,400 travelers as returning crowds typically peak.
To help manage the influx, MCO is enhancing its customer experience ambassador program and encouraging travelers to make advanced parking reservations to reduce congestion. The airport is also reminding passengers of its “3–2–1 rule”: Arrive three hours before departure, reach TSA security two hours before, and be at the gate one hour prior to boarding.
Despite some concerns traveling at MCO on Sunday Nov. 23, some travelers said their experience has been smoother than expected.
“Today has been going good. I was able to return the car real quick and easy,” said Jay Spencer, also traveling to New York.
For many, relief sets in once they clear their final airport hurdles.
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“I’m going home, and hopefully everything goes well,” Stewart said. “No more traveling until next year.”
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