As the Memorial Day weekend kicked off, a new record was set for the number of airline travelers screened at U.S. airports, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
On Friday, more than 2.9 million travelers passed through security checkpoints at U.S. airports, surpassing the previous record set last year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The TSA took to Twitter to announce the milestone, urging travelers to arrive early due to the high volume.
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, known as the world’s busiest airport, also experienced record-breaking traffic. On Thursday, 111,000 passengers, airline crew, and airport employees were screened at security checkpoints, marking the airport’s busiest day ever. The following day, nearly 110,000 people were screened.
Last year, the Atlanta airport handled 104.6 million passengers, making it the busiest airport in the world, according to Airports Council International. This year, U.S. airlines are anticipating a record number of passengers for the summer travel season, with an estimated 271 million travelers expected to fly between June 1 and August 31.
Despite concerns about the economy and the country’s direction, Americans are still eager to travel. AAA predicts that this Memorial Day weekend will be the busiest start-of-summer weekend in nearly 20 years, with 43.8 million people expected to travel at least 50 miles from home.
As Americans embark on their holiday travels, it’s important to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day. Originally established to honor America’s fallen soldiers, the holiday now serves as a time to reflect and pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.