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Atlanta airport busy as people are flying for Labor Day weekend

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Published  August 30, 2024 7:39am EDT
Atlanta
FOX 5 Atlanta

Labor Day travel at Atlanta airport

Millions of people are traveling for Labor Day across the U.S. Here's a look at how things are going at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

In Brief

    • Hartsfield-Jackson expects 349,000 passengers on peak Labor Day travel day.
    • Nationwide, 17 million travelers projected over the holiday weekend.
    • Gas prices are 13% lower than last year, easing costs for drivers.

ATLANTA - The Labor Day holiday travel period is in full swing, with an estimated 17 million people expected to pass through airports across the nation this weekend. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport, is projected to handle approximately 2.3 million of those travelers.

Friday is anticipated to be the peak travel day at Hartsfield-Jackson, with more than 349,000 passengers expected to pass through the airport. Early reports indicate that while lines are present, they have not yet extended into the atrium, a common indicator of more severe congestion. TSA officials report that wait times at the main security checkpoint are currently around 18 minutes, well under their 30-minute target.

RELATED: Labor Day 2024 events in metro Atlanta: MARTA guide

Nationwide, the TSA expects to screen nearly 3 million people on Friday alone, marking one of the busiest travel days of the holiday period. Passengers at Hartsfield-Jackson are being advised to arrive early, remain patient, and prepare for long lines as the day progresses.

RELATED: Labor Day events & specials in metro Atlanta | 2024

On a positive note for drivers, GasBuddy reports that gas prices this Labor Day weekend are expected to be about 13% lower than last year, providing some relief for those hitting the road.