Expect crowds at Salt Lake City International Airport this holiday season

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City International Airport is expected to return to pre-pandemic numbers of passengers in this next week of travel.

Airport spokesperson Nancy Volmer says there will be about 25,000 passengers to leave from Salt Lake International Airport on Dec. 22, 23, 24. And come Jan. 2., Volmer expects the number of travelers to be similar to the number seen in 2019. 

“Last year we probably saw a little over half of the number of passengers we’re seeing this year,” she said. “I think that just shows that more passengers are comfortable traveling.”

In order to best handle all the passengers, the airport has hired more people. But Volmer says that’s still not enough.

“If there are longer lines in the shops or restaurants, we just ask for passengers to be patient,” she said. 

Volmer recommends getting to the airport the standard two hours before your flight to another U.S. city. Tac on a third hour if you are traveling internationally.

And if you haven’t been to the new airport, Volmer suggests looking at a map ahead of time. The airport’s app can also give you directions within the airport. 

Passengers flying home (or elsewhere) for the holidays will enjoy the SLC Airport halls and concourses decked out in decorative décor, including 37 nutcrackers, 1,600 poinsettias, 47 wreaths, 18 trees and 1,000 ft. of garland. pic.twitter.com/H1EdzNFBhT

— SaltLakeCityAirport (@slcairport) December 18, 2021

 

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