MENA Newswire News Desk: The Thanksgiving travel surge is well underway across the United States, with millions of travelers expected to pass through airports and highways in the coming days. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) projected screening over 2.8 million passengers on Tuesday and another 2.9 million on Wednesday, following 2.5 million screenings on Monday. Despite the heavy volumes, early reports indicated relatively smooth operations at major airports.
By Tuesday evening, only 70 U.S. flights had been canceled, although delays affected more than 3,200 flights, according to tracking service FlightAware. Over the previous three days, airlines averaged approximately 4,500 daily delays. However, no major disruptions had been reported, offering some relief to travelers navigating the busy holiday period.
Two minor incidents were reported at Boston Logan International Airport. On Monday, an American Airlines plane collided with a stationary Frontier Airlines aircraft while pulling into a gate, touching wingtips but causing no injuries. Later, a tug towing a JetBlue aircraft struck a Cape Air plane, resulting in two Cape Air pilots being taken to the hospital as a precaution, according to an airport spokesperson.
Meanwhile, weather remains a significant factor for Thanksgiving travel. An Arctic air mass moving across the Midwest and wet conditions in the East could impact plans through the week. Heavy snow is forecast for areas in the Intermountain West, including the Rockies, Bitterroot Range, and Wasatch Mountains, as a storm system tracks eastward. By Thanksgiving Day, clear skies are expected over most of the western U.S., but a mix of rain and snow is likely to stretch from Michigan and Ohio through New England.
Despite colder temperatures, some travelers remain undeterred. Chicago saw highs in the 30s on Tuesday, but passengers like Kristy Vincent from Houston, arriving at O’Hare Airport, took the chill in stride. Road travel is expected to dominate holiday transit, with AAA forecasting nearly 80 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and Monday.
The majority will use personal vehicles, benefitting from a slight drop in gas prices. The national average price for gasoline stood at $3.07 per gallon on Tuesday, down from $3.25 during the same period last year. Air travelers, however, face slightly higher costs, with airfares rising 4.1% year-over-year. The TSA expects to screen 18.3 million passengers during the Thanksgiving travel window, marking a 6% increase compared to 2022.
Sunday is anticipated to be the busiest day, with projections nearing the single-day record of 3.01 million screenings set after the July Fourth holiday. Tuesday and Wednesday are also expected to be peak travel days. As the holiday unfolds, transportation systems across the country are being closely monitored to ensure the smooth passage of millions returning to loved ones or seeking seasonal getaways.