MEMPHIS, Tenn — Wednesday saw the Memphis International Airport right in the middle of what could be their busiest Thanksgiving travel period yet.
The airport is expecting to see close to 90,000 passengers by the time Monday arrives. The day before Thanksgiving, airport staff say they saw about 9,000 passengers, which is in line with what they predicted.
The main hurdle now is parking.
Airport staff told ABC24 that as of Wednesday morning, both their economy and long term parking lots are full.
It was the main challenge facing Memphians who decided to book their flights the day before Thanksgiving.
“Just (going on) a spur of the moment birthday trip,” said Rickey Green. “Decided to go to New York.”
Others like Dennis Cobb, who was on his way to see family in Chicago, says he specifically wanted to avoid the rush.
“I think it'd be easier to travel the day prior (to Thanksgiving),” he says. “That way we don't have to hit the flux.”
Cobb also says he got to the airport close to three hours before his flight. He also had someone drop him off so he did not have to deal with parking.
“Parking was a little difficult,” said Green. “The garage is full so we had to park in the short term (lot). They were having some difficulties with the gating.”
Memphis airport president Terry Blue said they are monitoring parking closely in 2023, and said that the closer to Thanksgiving people decide to fly, the more likely the airport’s main lots would be full. But he is confident their overflow lots should have more than enough room to accommodate all passengers.
Other than the parking, passengers ABC24 spoke with had no complaints about lines Wednesday.
But at least one passenger is bracing for his flight out of Memphis on Sunday.
“I’m probably going to end up coming here about four hours early on Sunday just because I know how the Memphis Airport is when it comes to flying out on busy holidays,” says Chris Beck.
Sunday is when the airport is expecting it’s busiest day during the Thanksgiving travel period, estimating that 11,000 people will pass through.