CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — The Memorial Day weekend marks one of the initial extended holidays of the year and is often seen as the beginning of the summer travel period.
Over 45 million Americans are anticipated to journey across the country for Memorial Day, setting a new record for this holiday weekend, as reported by AAA with their statistics.
For those traveling by air, Gerald R. Ford International Airport serves as the entry point for West Michigan. During this bustling travel period, an estimated 70,000 individuals are anticipated to pass through its gates over the weekend.
We are witnessing unprecedented passenger numbers annually,” stated Haley Abbas, who serves as the marketing and communications manager at the airport. “In 2024, we broke our own records with more than 4 million travelers passing through the terminal for the full year, and so far this year, we’re maintaining pace comparable to 2024.
As per AAA, 1.3 million residents of Michigan plan to embark on domestic trips for Memorial Day, with numerous travelers heading in a northerly direction.
It is anticipated that Friday will see the highest number of departures, whereas Monday is predicted to have the most arrivals back into West Michigan.
Due to the increase in travelers, airport personnel advise passengers to plan their arrival approximately two hours prior to their planned departure.
“Get to the airport early, be nice to your flight attendants, we didn’t do it,” Joslyn Holden, a flight attendant with SkyWest, said
Holden suggests that the bustling travel period can exacerbate what is already an anxiety-inducing scenario.
“The most challenging aspect is simply maintaining professionalism regardless of what we face,” she clarifies.
The new Real ID regulations became applicable on May 7, and according to airport officials, the transition has been smooth, achieving approximately a 70% adherence level thus far. Should your driver’s license lack this emblematic star, ensure you carry supplementary identification such as a passport; failing which might cause hold-ups amid what is typically a hectic period.
In response to increasing demand, Ford Airport will introduce four additional flight routes before June arrives. These new destinations encompass Myrtle Beach, Jacksonville, and Lakeland in Florida, along with Raleigh-Durham in North Carolina.
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