Travel
BWI Has Busiest Day In Year; Southwest Adds New Beach Destination
BWI recently had its busiest day in a year. Southwest also announced new flights to a beach town, suggesting travel may soon return.
![Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport said last Friday had the most departures since the coronavirus pandemic began.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/24287450/20210330/052023/styles/patch_image/public/img-0854___30155259246.jpg)
LINTHICUM, MD — Travelers are starting to return to Baltimore/Washington International Airport. Officials said 22,968 passengers departed from the terminal last Friday. That is the highest total since the coronavirus pandemic began, but it is still well below normal levels.
Traffic also spiked last Thursday. The airport reported 18,690 security screenings that day, which was a pandemic-high until Friday shattered that record.
"BWI Marshall Airport remains the busiest in the Washington-Baltimore region," airport spokesperson Jonathan Dean said in a press release. "Recent data shows that BWI Marshall serves nearly half of the total passengers in the region."
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Southwest Airlines announced a new destination Thursday during this surge. The budget airline will start nonstop service to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on May 23. Fares could be as low as $69 one-way.
"For Myrtle Beach, we know the arrival of our two bags fly free—with a golf bag able to count as one of those—will encourage visitors to fly Southwest instead of drive," Executive Vice President Andrew Watterson said in a statement.
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This is the seventh new route that Southwest has added from BWI in recent months.
(Story continues below tweet)
Toes in the sand Hitting the links They're both an option in Myrtle Beach! @SouthwestAir is kicking off nonstop service from BWI Marshall Airport to @FlyMyrtleBeach on May 23. https://t.co/at2HldAGwI #SceneAtBWI #MDOTscenes #TravelTuesday pic.twitter.com/PB0CNLV871
— BWI Marshall Airport (@BWI_Airport) March 30, 2021
Vacations Return
A Destination Analysts survey found that 36 percent of participants think travel will get back to normal this summer. Another 42 percent predicted it will be all set by the fall. Though 14 percent of respondents plan to vacation for spring break, 60 percent plan to travel for fun within the next three months.
With deals abound, AAA travel agents have seen heavy interest in Florida, Mexico and other Caribbean destinations. Those who don't want to fly have opted for road trips to national parks, the agency added.
"As the vaccine continues to roll out across the country, travel dreams are beginning to optimistically seem more realistic," John Townsend II, AAA Mid-Atlantic's manager of public and government affairs, said in a release. "This summer and fall will see more people traveling, addressing their need to get away for a break from everyday stressors."
Safety Measures Implemented
This travel surge comes after the Transportation Security Administration upped its coronavirus prevention efforts at airports across the country.
President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Feb. 2 requiring travelers to mask up. The TSA reported nearly 100 percent compliance with the rule.
Security officials have also encouraged their frontline officers to get the coronavirus vaccine. The organization additionally installed contactless scanners in many airports to reduce potential transmission.
"There is no higher priority than our operational readiness as well as the health and safety of our workforce and the traveling public," stated Darby LaJoye, senior official performing the duties of the TSA administrator.
BWI took it a step further. The airport installed a real-time physical distancing tracker on Jan. 22. The digital billboard at security checkpoint B alerts travelers when they are standing too close in line.
"BWI Marshall Airport has implemented many measures to help protect passengers and employees," Executive Director Ricky Smith said in a press release. "This innovation provides real-time data on passenger flow so we can notify travelers and manage separation."
RELATED:
- Travel Increases At BWI, Suggests Vacations Are Returning
- BWI Adds Real-Time Social Distancing Tracker At Security Checkpoint
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