With Fourth of July weekend, Taylor Swift-mania, Reds and FC Cincinnati games, CVG is going to be packed this weekend.
Amid the expectation of 350,000 travelers navigating through its facilities from Thursday through July 9, airport officials maintain preparation is key.
“We’re looking at the numbers for Fourth of July travel,” CVG Senior Communications Manager Mindy Kershner said. “It’s always a busy time of year, but this year we’re seeing it kind of spread out over more days, instead of a couple of days where we see a huge spike. We know we’ll be expecting more travelers through the early morning hours and that’s why we’re encouraging folks to get here two hours before.”
Kershner said that means walking through the door and being prepared to either check your bag or go through the checkpoint two hours before scheduled departure to ensure flights aren’t missed.
“Some of the airlines do board 30 minutes before the departure,” Kershner said. “So you want to make sure you get to your gate in plenty of time before that. Some airlines even close their doors a couple of minutes before departure. Those are other things to keep in mind.”
Kershner also recommends travelers stay connected with their airlines by downloading apps, which often offer real-time notifications in the event a flight is late or canceled.
“Keeping track of those kind of things the day that you leave are helpful as well,” she said. “We have people who maybe haven’t been out there travelling in a couple of years, so it almost feels like the first time again. We have plenty of information on our website and it’s a good idea to become familiar with the weather conditions for your departure airport and your arrival airport, coming up with a plan and having that in the back of your mind.”
Below are some additional travel tips officials have offered for the coming weeks:
- Check the TSA website: Learn what you can bring in a carry-on bag versus checked bag; especially be aware of allowed liquid amounts. Knowing what you can bring ahead of time will save time in the checkpoint line by not having a TSA officer manually check your bag.
- Check travel documents: Make sure your passport or valid government ID isn’t expired, is packed and ready to go.
- Check traffic: Summer is construction season, which could mean backups on your way to the airport.
- Check CVGairport.com: Familiarize yourself with CVG’s parking options: CVG Valet, CVG Terminal Garage, CVG ValuPark, and CVG Economy Lot. Some options fill up quicker than others so it’s good to know alternatives.
“I would become familiar with each of those and where they’re located,” Kershner said with regard to the airport parking accommodations. “Sometimes our parking garage can sell out. So if you know where the ValuPark is, you can go there and vice versa. Sometimes another lot my sell out and then you just have a back up option.”
Kershner is urging travelers to give themselves time to park and have a couple of hours of leeway when entering the airport.
“I think it’s a safe bet as far as being able to check your bag, go through the checkpoint and then make your way to your gate,” she said.
Florence resident Simon Carr said he prepares a checklist whenever he is about to take a flight.
“I feel like it’s an absolute must,” Carr, who was embarking upon a flight to Chicago on Tuesday, said. “When I plan ahead, it puts my mind at ease and allows me to relax and enjoy the travel experience. When you work out all the details in advance, it’s a win for everybody.”