COLUMBUS, Ohio — John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Rickenbacker International Airport prepare for a flurry of passengers during the winter holiday season. Between Friday, December 20, and Thursday, January 2, more than 200,000 passengers are scheduled to depart from Columbus-area airports.
“These final weeks of 2024 wrap up the busiest year in the airport’s history,” said Joseph R. Nardone, President & CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA). “We’ll have had more than 9 million passengers coming through our doors this year while we simultaneously work to build a first-class terminal for the future. We plan to continue providing top-notch service to all of our customers.”
| Busiest travel days | Scheduled departing airline seats |
|---|---|
| Sunday, December 22 | 16,400 |
| Thursday, December 26 | 16,000 |
| Sunday, December 29 | 16,100 |
| Thursday, January 2 | 16,100 |
An estimated 9 million passengers will travel through Columbus airports throughout 2024. CRAA saw the busiest day in history on Sunday, December 1, with an estimated 36,900 total arriving and departing passengers.
To have a holly jolly travel experience, keep the following tips in mind:
- Check out all the options for parking your sleigh. CRAA has just expanded the Red Shuttle Lot and has closed the Blue Shuttle Lot to make way for the new terminal. Visit our parking webpage to see all the parking options and availability; from valet to shuttle lots, there’s an option for every lifestyle and budget.
- Jingle all the way to the airport, early. Check out our security webpage for average wait times at TSA checkpoints. Breeze through the checkpoint and then relax at a restaurant or browse a shop before your flight.
- Check the Nice List (aka TSA rules). Remember to check what you can and cannot bring in your checked luggage and carry-ons. While you can bring wrapped gifts, TSA officials recommend waiting to wrap them until you arrive at your final destination. If a gift triggers an alarm, TSA workers may have to unwrap it for inspection.
- Update your Santa Tracker. Download your airline’s app to get real-time updates on flight status or delays.
