Weather, not crowds, could slow KCI Thanksgiving travel
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People in line for security at KCI. Photo: Courtesy of KCI
Kansas City International Airport (KCI) expects full flights through the holiday week, but aviation officials say the biggest disruptions will come from storms at the large airports Kansas Citians connect through.
Why it matters: Most Thanksgiving delays at KCI do not start in Kansas City, KCI Aviation spokesperson Jackson Overstreet tells Axios.
- They start at the hubs feeding traffic into and out of the region, which means a clean day here does not guarantee an on-time trip.
Zoom in: About 383,825 travelers are expected at KCI from Nov. 23 through Dec. 1, slightly below last year's count.
- Airlines flew reduced schedules this fall as carriers tightened routes nationwide, says Overstreet.
- Flights were about 85% full over the weekend, which Overstreet says is normal for this time of year. However, he expects that number to rise over the next two days, closer to 90%.
- The airport's busiest stretches remain early morning departures between 5 and 8am and evening arrivals between 8pm and midnight.
State of play: Overstreet says weather concerns for Kansas City hinge on the major hubs in the Midwest, where many local travelers connect.
- Minneapolis-St. Paul and Chicago O'Hare could see snow or ice this week.
What they're saying: Security staffing has increased across the terminal. "The screeners at KCI are ready for the additional travelers," Overstreet says.
- Up to 16 lanes can operate at once, though he expects to need all lanes only on Sunday, which is projected to be the busiest day.
Zoom out: This is MCI's first Thanksgiving with its guest pass program. Access is capped at 20 visitors per hour, a limit Overstreet says should prevent extra strain on holiday crowds.
What's next: We're wishing everyone safe travels.
Go deeper: KCI ranked No. 4, but No. 1 to us.