Could be the busiest Labor Day week ever  

(Middletown, PA – August 23, 2024) – The busy summer travel season is expected to continue through the Labor Day weekend as Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) expects nearly 24,000 passengers to fly to and from the airport, between Thursday, August 29^th and Tuesday, September 3^rd.    

“The 2024 Labor Day travel weekend could be the busiest ever at HIA as the airlines will offer more seats for sale than at any point in the airport’s history,” said Timothy J. Edwards, Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority executive director.  “Summer travel has been very strong.  As of July 31^st, 2024, passenger traffic has increased nearly 10 percent compared to the same period in 2023.  With four airlines offering nonstop flights to 16 destinations, and connections to destinations around the world, there is nowhere you can fly from Harrisburg.”   

Edwards stated, Thursday, August 29^th and Friday, August 30^th will be the busiest days with around 4,600 passengers each day while Saturday, August 31^st will be the slowest at around 2,500 passengers. 

Labor Day week travel tips:    

1. Download your airline app on your mobile phone to stay up to date on flight times/delays.
2. Know your airline’s carry-on and checked baggage rules and regulations.
3. Know what to pack and where.  Visit http://www.tsa.gov before packing your carry-ons and checked bags.  
4. Have all travel documents organized and ready the night before departure.
5. Departing passengers using the long-term parking lot ($10 per day) should arrive two hours before their scheduled departure time.
6. Departing passengers using the parking garage ($15 per day) should arrive 90-minutes before their scheduled departure time.
7. All checked bags must be turned in to your airline at least 45 minutes before departure time.
8. The TSA Security checkpoint line is the longest between 4:30 and 6:30 am as 30% of daily passengers leave on flights before 8:00 am. 
9. Dress in comfortable clothing and wear sensible shoes.
10. Explain to younger children what to expect at the airport, at the security checkpoint and on the airplane.  Bring snacks and silent games/books to keep them entertained while in flight.

As of July 31^st, 809,204 passengers had used HIA, up 9.4% vs 2023.