The Transportation Security Administration reported that a new record was set just before the Memorial Day weekend for the number of airline passengers screened at U.S. airports. On Friday, more than 2.9 million travelers went through airport screenings, surpassing the previous record set last year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
The TSA celebrated the achievement on Twitter, noting it was the busiest single day for screenings. They advised travelers to arrive early due to the high volume.
Thursday also saw a high number of screenings, marking the third busiest day on record with just under 2.9 million travelers screened nationwide. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, known as the busiest in the world, broke its record on Thursday with 111,000 people screened, followed closely by Friday’s 109,960 screenings.
Travelers on the Salt Lake City International (Via Austin Black/Shutterstock)
Last year, Atlanta Airport handled the most passengers globally with 104.6 million travelers, according to Airports Council International. U.S. airlines are anticipating another record-breaking summer, estimating 271 million passengers from June 1 to August 31, surpassing last summer’s record of 255 million.
AAA forecasts this Memorial Day weekend to be the busiest start-of-summer period in nearly two decades, with 43.8 million people traveling at least 50 miles from home between Thursday and Monday, mostly by vehicle.
Despite economic concerns and national uncertainties, Americans continue to embrace the traditional Memorial Day weekend, originally established to honor fallen soldiers and now observed on the last Monday in May since its federal recognition in 1971.
