HOUSTON – Houston Airports says it is ready to welcome its largest winter holiday travel crowd on record, reportedly exceeding the passenger total set in 2019.
The busy holiday travel season follows a record-setting Thanksgiving travel period.
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According to a news release, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) are anticipating a combined 3.9 million travelers. That is a 6% increase from the same period in 2019 and a 16% increase from 2022.
The winter holiday travel period for Houston Airports began this Thursday and ends Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.
Hobby Airport anticipates nearly 849,000 travelers and Bush Airport anticipates more than 3 million travelers.
“This year, according to airline seat capacity, the traveling public is beginning their holiday travel before school districts let out for the holidays so they can beat the holiday rush,” the release said. “More than a million passengers will board flights before Harris County school districts or Houston ISD wrap their fall semesters.”
Here are the single busiest air travel days reported in Houston:
- Friday, Dec. 15: More than 217,000 passengers expected
- Sunday, Dec. 17: More than 201,000 passengers expected
- Monday, Dec. 18: more than 200,000 passengers expected
For those who are considering traveling last minute, the best days to beat the crowds and book last-minute flights will be:
- Monday, Dec. 25 with 159,000 passengers expected
- Saturday, Dec. 30 with 154,000 passengers expected