Calgary International Airport welcomes more than 1.5 million passengers during busy holiday travel rush

It’s all hands on deck at the Calgary International Airport as staff prepare for one of the busiest travel periods of the year and get set to welcome an average of 48,000 passengers each day during the holidays.

The Calgary Airport Authority is anticipating 1.5 million passengers to move through its terminals in December, including thousands of travelers connecting through other airports.

That numbers totals 100,000 more people than last holiday season.

“Christmas is a busy time certainly with a lot of families and a lot of kids expected to travel,” said Chris Miles, chief operating officer for the Calgary Airport.

“So like the airlines, the airport also staffs up," he added. "We’re ensuring we have lots of people in case of unexpected snowstorms or other weather events.”

Miles adds that thankfully this year’s weather forecast calls for much milder temperatures, but he says travellers should plan ahead.

“For domestic flights," he said, "get here two hours prior, international flights three hours prior. That allows you to get through the check-in process, through security and off to your gate so you can be a bit more relaxed.”

Other travel tips to speed up the process including using the YYC online parking reservation system, booking a security spot ahead of time using the YYC Express app, or downloading the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s mobile passport control app to speed through customs.

Miles adds that travellers should also be aware that Concourse B is still closed as a result of the August hailstorm, but that the everyday traveller shouldn’t notice much of a difference.

“The rest of our concourses are still open, our retail is open and planes will be flying out as normal.”