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With Labor Day weekend approaching, Kansas City International Airport is preparing for one of the busiest travel times of the year.

As travelers look to make the most of the last long weekend of summer, airport officials are preparing for a significant increase in passenger traffic.

“We recommend travelers arrive at the airport early,” said Joe McBride, a KCI spokesman. “For those picking up passengers.”

The Transportation Security Administration expects there to be more than 17 million passengers over the holiday weekend.

Airport officials at KCI expect over 230,000.

Deanna Gilbert, traveling to Cincinnati, Ohio, was surprised to see lines at the TSA on Thursday morning.

“I didn’t notice because the last few times we were here there was hardly anyone,” Gilbert said.

McBride had other tips for travelers.

“We recommend that you approach the arrivals zone in such a way that the passenger collects their luggage and gives them the number of the column where they are waiting,” McBride said. “If you arrive early, use the cell phone waiting area.”

To accommodate increased travel volume, KCI is adding additional staff in key areas.

“The Ministry of Aviation and its partners are in contact and are prepared and staffed to accommodate holidaymakers and those picking them up or dropping them off,” McBride said.

For more information, please visit the airport website.
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