BWI Airport Reports Increases In Departures In April, With More People Traveling
LINTHICUM, MD. (WJZ) — Air travel is picking back up as some COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted. At home, BWI Airport is reporting another busy weekend.
Airport officials said they are expecting summer travel to ramp up even more.
"We're just coming back from a family vacation," said traveler Tally Wilgis.
"I am traveling to Annapolis," said traveler Joan Lyons.
It's a sight travelers like Tally Wilgis are thrilled to see again.
"The comradery on the plane, things like that, people are happy just to be back and out in the open and back traveling with each other again," Wilgis said.
The sounds of a bustling airport are back at BWI.
"So we're pretty excited about things getting back to normal," Wilgis said.
The airport has seen a steady growth of travelers pass through its gates since spring break season kicked off in March.
"Our flight was nearly full, but they've taken every precaution possible to keep us safe," Wilgis said.
Officials marked Thursday as the second-busiest day during the pandemic with nearly 21,000 departing passengers, with Friday expected to be just as busy.
While some people, like Susan Bell, say they were a bit uneasy with a full flight.
"There's not the space in between," Bell said.
She said the safety protocols in place at airports and on planes have helped put her at ease.
"Everyone's masked and they were strenuously enforcing mask wearing," Bell said. "Just glad that they are being cautious as they can be, and taking good care of people."
According to a recent poll by Longwoods International, close to 87$ of people in the U.S. now have travel plans in the next six months, the highest level since last March.
However, experts are still advising travelers to err on the side of caution and try to avoid international travel, unless you must.
Joan Lyons was visiting from Denver and said being fully vaccinated was the largest contributing factor in feeling somewhat safe flying.
"I'd say I'm feeling pretty confident and comfortable.. I feel like a lot of people are getting really excited because they're getting vaccinated … and there's just a lot of really great things that are happening now," Lyons said.
While the governor lifted Maryland's outdoor mask mandate this week, TSA announced its face mask requirement will be extended through September 13 on public transportation including airports, planes, buses and trains.
