TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The day after Christmas brought long lines to Tucson International Airport as travelers headed back home. TUS is expected to see 6% more travelers in the 2024 holiday season than last year. Its busiest day is projected to be Dec. 29 with 16,000 travelers.
Over Christmas, travelers saw delays nationwide, due to technical problems and weather, among other issues. Rori Glover, a passenger at TUS, was trying to get back home to Arkansas but her flights kept getting delayed or rescheduled.
"I’m not entirely surprised with the holidays and I know the weather has been bad, so if anything it’s a little frustrating," Glover said.
For some passengers, the travel day was smooth. Kelly and Lance Mortensen were traveling from Montana. They said their experience was quiet and smooth.
"Actually, our flights were about five or ten minutes early," Kelly said. "Today, our flights were pretty easy. We went from a small airport to another small airport though.
In the afternoon, the TSA line reached past the escalators. One traveler in the line, Lauren Dunlap, said she was surprised that there was a line but she was prepared.
"At Tucson airport normally it’s pretty quick,” Dunlap said. "And I will not travel with limited time.”
She encourages people to get to the airport as early as they can during this holiday travel season.
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Tina Giuliano is a reporter for KGUN 9. She is a native Arizonan and grew up in Scottsdale. Tina is passionate about storytelling and is excited to work telling Tucson's stories. Share your story ideas and important issues with Tina by emailing tina.giuliano@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
