OREANDA-NEWS. CLT is expecting large crowds through next week as passengers begin heading home for the holidays. Airlines report flights will be near capacity. For a stress-free experience, CLT suggests travelers plan ahead, be prepared and arrive early for their flights.

The majority of passengers are expected to depart on Friday, December 20, and return home from their holiday destinations on Thursday, December 26 and Friday, December 27. Security checkpoints are scheduled to open at 4 a.m. Ticket counters will begin greeting customers between 4:30 and 4:45 a.m.

Parking will be in high demand Thursday, December 19 – Thursday, December 26. Variable message signs will be placed strategically around the Airport to direct customers to open parking lots.

Passengers should also consider other alternatives to arrive at that Airport, including carpooling, catching a ride to the terminal, taking a taxi or riding the CATS Sprinter bus (Route 5 – Airport).

To accommodate holiday travel demands, CLT has reopened previously closed roads, strategically positioned traffic control officers in front of the terminal and at other locations, added more shuttle buses into rotation and has additional Aviation Department, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and airline staff in the ticketing lobby to assist customers.