EL PASO, TX (KTSM) – With summer just around the corner, the El Paso International Airport (ELP) as well as other airports across the country, are expecting a surge of travel in the coming months.
Cassandra Davisson, Marketing & Customer Relations Coordinator for the ELP, says they’re preparing for the increase in traffic.
“We’ve been seeing excellent recovery in traffic coming back from the pandemic,” Davisson said.
Another reason to expect an increase in travel is due to the fact that mask requirements have loosened tied in with the desire to travel, which many have been unable to do since before the pandemic.
Then we also recently added new nonstop destinations like Orlando, Austin and San Diego starting in June, so that’s going to bring more people in.
Cassandra Davisson, Marketing & Customer Relations Coordinator, ELP
At the ELP, Davisson said they’re ramping up sanitation of all areas in anticipation of increased foot traffic, as well as opening overflow parking lots that were closed.
“We’re keeping an eye on our parking to make sure there is parking available for everyone,” Davisson said.
On Friday afternoon, many travelers told KTSM they were traveling to visit their mothers for Mother’s Day this weekend. Some noticed the increase in crowds while traveling to their final destination.
“It’s been pretty crowded, no empty seats, it was full,” Jim Bradley said. “I think people are feeling a bit more comfortable not having to wear a mask on a plane anymore.”
On top of increased travel demand, you may be surprised when booking your next flight as prices are now soaring.
“Prices have definitely gone up airfare has gone up but that’s not going to stop me from traveling,” said Liana Whitaker, a traveler.
Hopper.com is a website that uses data to analyze and predict the best deals when it comes to flights. It calculates that the average cost of a domestic flight will reach around $420.
“You know flights are full but it’s good to see, it’s good for the economy,” Whitaker said.
- Gwyneth Paltrow testifies she initially feared ski collision was a sexual assault
- West Texas A&M University student group files lawsuit against WT, Texas A&M University System officials over drag show cancellation
- Person with whistle disrupts GOP-led trip to see jailed Jan. 6 suspects
- Texas communities with the best public schools in 2023: report
- Remembering Deputy Herrera with run, special designated day
- City of El Paso to celebrate ‘National Public Health Week’ in April
For local and breaking news, sports, weather alerts, videos, and more, download the FREE KTSM 9 News App from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
