Flight delays Memorial Day journey

LAKELAND, Fla. — Memorial Day sometimes marks the beginning of a busy season for air journey, however that’s not precisely the case this 12 months, as major airports are expecting a significant drop in passenger traffic this summer.

But are smaller airports seeing the identical development?

Officials at Lakeland Linder International Airport say almost 4,000 passengers traveled via the terminal this vacation week, marking a report for the airport.

For many vacationers, the rise in passenger site visitors comes as no shock. Lakeland resident Cynthia Beasley says the airport is handy and flights are inexpensive.

“You can’t beat it,” she mentioned. “We don’t have to drive to Clearwater, Tampa or Orlando. It’s right here in Lakeland.”

Beasley and her husband flew to North Carolina to spend the vacation weekend together with her mom. Despite it being one of many busiest instances of the 12 months to journey, she says the expertise was easy from begin to end.

“Short hour-and-15-minute flight, great staff, very friendly, very easy in and out. Very nice,” she mentioned.

Passenger Robert Wagman says his expertise was a lot the identical, a part of the rationale he selected to ebook with Avelo Airlines over a significant service.

“There was nothing today that looked like travel’s in trouble when it comes to Avelo,” Wagman mentioned.

Kris Hallstrand, director of Lakeland Linder International Airport, says the airport’s measurement performs a significant function within the buyer expertise.

“The larger airports have a lot of moving parts and people going through them, and ours is really stress-free. That’s what it’s all about for us,” Hallstrand mentioned. “I think that’s what makes us stand out. Our awareness across the area is growing, and that’s bringing us more folks from a regional area — not just the city of Lakeland, but the entire Central Florida region.”

Currently, airports like Tampa International count on to see a decline in site visitors this summer time due to reductions in flights. Carriers together with American and United Airlines are reducing the variety of weekly routes they provide throughout their networks. Meanwhile, Avelo plans to carry again two widespread routes between Lakeland and Michigan this fall.

Hallstrand says the airport additionally hit a milestone final month. Since launching industrial flights in June 2024, the airport has served 300,000 passengers. Airport leaders are optimistic about future progress.

“It’s been steady, and it’s been growing. Our load factors are up, and more people are taking advantage of this service. We’re pretty excited to see what happens next,” Hallstrand mentioned.

As for Beasley, she couldn’t agree extra.

“It’s good to see the airport active,” she mentioned.