Columbia Regional Airport preparing for busy holiday weekend

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

AAA expects there to be over 47.9 million Americans will travel this weekend with 3.6 million of those expected to be to traveling by air.

"So we are home for a family reunion," said Carita Peden.

No matter what brings you to Columbia.

"We fly in from Chicago this morning to Columbia, the plan is my daughter in a Uhaul to Philly next week," said Mary Goolik.

Air travel always comes with the same advice.

"I would advise giving yourself a lot of extra time. I think with just the shortage of staff and workers it might take a little more time," said Peden.

"The travel advice everyone gives, leave early, take time, relax.  Our biggest problem at O'Hare was the economy parking lot was full at 7:30 this morning," said Goolik.

"We gave ourselves plenty of time and we were thankful for that," said Goolik.

While some travelers into Columbia Regional Airport had an uneventful start to their holiday weekend.

"We did notice there were a lot of announcements asking about people being rewarded, bonus for taking later flights," said Peden.

As travelers continue to have the expected experiences while traveling.

"People were friendly and moving through quickly, all the TSA had four different security lines that I say, things were moving quickly," said Goolik.

"It was more busy than usual, the lines were a little long, it took a little longer than normal everything went really smoothly," said Peden.

But when it comes to moving through those TSA lines some have difficulty remembering the basics.

"Do you need a belt on or off, no jackets no water? But, some people still forget it," said Goolik.

And when you hit the sky for those return flights?

"We got back on Monday! On the 4th, so maybe it won't be so busy," said Peden.

The St. Louis and Kansas City airports were averaging around 60% on time for their arrivals and departures with about a 15-minute delay on Friday.

The Springfield airport has about 45% of its flights running behind and at Columbia Regional Airport flights are still currently running on time. 

Chicago and Dallas/Ft. Worth, the two airports that service Columbia, both have been reporting that 60% of their flights arriving and departing have been on time on Friday.