Record Passengers Pass Through Tampa International Thanksgiving Week
TAMPA, FL — As expected by airport officials, Tampa International Airport experienced record numbers over the Thanksgiving period, seeing a 6 percent increase in passengers over the same period last year.
From Sunday, Nov. 16, through Sunday, Nov. 23, the airport handled 5,844 flights — an 18 percent increase over last year’s Thanksgiving period — and had 840,000 passengers travel through TPA.
The airport had its second-busiest day in history on Sunday, Nov. 26, with 89,018 passengers traveling through TPA. The busiest was on March 19, 2023 — the peak of spring break — when 90,320 passengers traveled through the airport.
TPA also faced an issue that many other airports across the country experienced. Parking facilities were at or near capacity at certain times, making it difficult for those who arrived without parking reservations to find a space.
Officials said the airport’s parking team worked around the clock over the holiday period to manage the short-term, long-term and economy garage availability, at times directing drivers to an overflow lot near the economy garage.
Despite the parking squeeze and heavier-than-normal operations, the Thanksgiving travel period went smoothly, according to TPA Executive Vice President of Operations and Customer Service John Tiliacos.
“Thanks to the excellent preparations and hard work by our various airport teams as well as our TSA, FAA and other partners, we delivered a first-class customer experience during one of our busiest times of the year,” Tiliacos said. “Throughout the week, we were able to connect hundreds of thousands of people with their friends and family efficiently, and more importantly, safely.”
The airport will see traffic slow to a more normal pace — closer to 70,000 average daily passengers instead of the 80,000 daily passengers during the holidays — during the Christmas and New Year’s period.
Officials continue to urge passengers to pre-book parking online, arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure and use the blue express curbs when possible.
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