Airlines Expect Heavy Volume of Traffic Over Thanksgiving Holiday

Nov. 10, 2005
The Air Transport Association (ATA) is forecasting that 21.7 million passengers will travel globally on U.S. airlines during the 2005 Thanksgiving holiday season.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The Air Transport Association (ATA) is forecasting that 21.7 million passengers will travel globally on U.S. airlines during the 2005 Thanksgiving holiday season (Saturday, November 19 through Tuesday, November 29).

"The airlines have been working closely with the FAA and the TSA to ensure that air travel remains safe and convenient," said ATA President and CEO James C. May. "Even with these cooperative efforts, millions of people will be traveling over a short period of time and passengers should plan accordingly."

All Thanksgiving air travelers should keep in mind: * Travel with a government-issued photo identification card and allow plenty of time to get to the airport, park your car (if you drive to the airport), check in, go through security and get to the gate. Most carriers request that passengers arrive at the airport one to two hours (depending on destination) prior to departure for domestic flights, and two hours for international flights. It is important to check with your carrier in advance for specific recommendations. * Automated check-in options are now offered via airline Web sites, up to 24 hours prior to departure as well as airport kiosks. These can greatly expedite the check-in process. * Federal rules limit each customer's carry-on baggage to one standard- size bag and one personal item (e.g., purse, briefcase, laptop computer). * Place all metallic objects (e.g., loose change, keys, cell phone, watch, camera) in a carry-on bag before arriving at security checkpoints. * Make sure that all of your bags, checked and carry-on, include your name and address -- both on the inside and the outside of each bag. Also, remove all old destination baggage tags from previous trips.

ATA suggests travelers also visit other helpful Web sites prior to traveling, including:

* Your Airline's Web site * FAA Airport and Flight Delay Map (http://www.fly.faa.gov ) * TSA Security Checkpoint Wait Times (http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/index.html ) * TSA Travel Tips (http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1254.xml ) * TSA Permitted and Prohibited Item List

(http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/Permitted_Prohibited_9_6_2005.pdf )

The Air Transport Association of America, Inc. is the trade association for leading U.S. airlines. ATA airline members transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic.

ATA Airline Members: ABX Air, Inc., Alaska Airlines, Inc., Aloha Airlines,American Airlines, Inc., ASTAR Air Cargo, Inc., ATA Airlines, Inc., Atlas Air,Inc., Continental Airlines, Inc., Delta Air Lines, Inc., EvergreenInternational Airlines, Inc., FedEx Corporation, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlueAirways Corp., Midwest Airlines, Inc., Northwest Airlines, Inc., SouthwestAirlines Co., United Airlines, Inc., UPS Airlines, US Airways, Inc.; ATAAirline Associate Members: Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air Jamaica Ltd., Mexicana;ATA Industry Members: Aero Instruments & Avionics, Inc., Benfield Group,Bombardier Regional Aircraft, Cendant Corporation, Metron Aviation, Inc.,SITA, TIMCO Aviation Services, Unisys Global Transportation, USI InsuranceServices.

ATA News Releases Index (http://www.airlines.org/news/d.aspx?nid=7642 )

SOURCE Air Transport Association of America, Inc.

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