Atlanta Airport Prepares For Busy Travel Weekend

Air travel is already up this year compared to last year for the Thanksgiving holiday, Atlanta airport officials said.

As of Tuesday, officials said travel was up nearly 4 percent over this time last year. They are expecting nearly 3 million passengers to pass through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport this week.

Airport officials said they’ve increased staff and opened more lanes to manage security lines. They’re also keeping construction, part of the airport’s expansion plan, at a minimum.

“We’ve scheduled extra guest relation representatives, operations staff, police and emergency crews,” said Roosevelt Council, the airport’s interim general manager.

Council said a third “smart lane” was opened at the South security checkpoint to help ease congestion. Still, he advised passengers to arrive at least two hours before their flights.