DES MOINES, Iowa — This summer is expected to be the busiest travel season ever, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
The busy season officially kicked off over Memorial Weekend, with that Friday becoming the busiest day on record, breaking last year’s Thanksgiving record, but the surge in travelers didn’t stop there: Six of the 10 busiest days on record were reported in the last month.
The TSA says it expects increased passenger volumes every Friday this summer and the week of the Fourth of July.
United Airlines rolls out targeted in-flight advertising: What you need to know
Des Moines International Airport’s busiest travel times are from 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM, seven days a week.
“We’re looking to break records this summer, and again, I really want people to keep that mindset. Even if you traveled last year, [or] “You haven’t traveled much since last year. This year will be a lot busier. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time.”
To make travel faster and easier, the TSA recommends that travelers arrive at the airport two hours before their flight time to empty their bags and start packing.
Mayle said starting with an empty bag was important to reduce the risk of accidentally bringing on a prohibited item.
This is especially important for Des Moines International Airport, as these occurrences could result in longer wait times for passengers.
Mayle said the standard wait time nationwide is 30 minutes for regular passengers and 10 minutes for PreCheck passengers. While Des Moines travelers rarely face waits that long, something happening in the security lanes could change their experience.
CDC issues new rules for bringing dogs into the U.S.
Last week, a firearm was found in a passenger’s carry-on luggage. Mayle said most of these incidents are accidents, but they result in security lane closures, which could lead to longer lines and passengers running out of time to miss their flights.
Last week’s incident was the eighth firearm seized at Des Moines International Airport this year, Mayle said, and only seven firearms have been recovered in all of 2023.
She said the increase in these cases is directly related to the influx of tourists this year.
