Passenger numbers perk up at Phoenix Sky Harbor for spring break
Mar 17, 2021, 10:12 AM
Travelers arrive at Terminal 3 wearing masks at Sky Harbor Airport on March 12, 2020, in Phoenix, Arizona. (COVID-19). (Getty Images/Christian Petersen)
(Getty Images/Christian Petersen)
PHOENIX – March, the busiest month of the year at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, is slower than usual because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the passenger count is increasing with the arrival of spring break, officials said.
“While we’re not back to prepandemic numbers, we have seen an increase in the number of travelers during peak times of the day,” airport spokeswoman Heather Shelbrack told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Tuesday.
She added the facility was prepared for the potential influx.
“We do have staff on hand that’s ready to assist travelers,” Shelbrack said.
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The Transportation Security Administration said its agents screened more than 1.3 million passengers at airport security checkpoints nationwide last Friday.
Health care worker Deidra Dreams was among those catching early flights out of the Valley on Wednesday. She was heading to Houston for some much needed rest and relaxation after dealing with the pandemic almost nonstop for the past year.
“I’ve had my vaccines, wearing my mask and ready to travel. Couple days off of work? Oh, yes,” Dreams said.
Jodi Rosanne from Queen Creek was on the way to Mexico.
“This is the best time to travel, ever. Flights are cheap and I have no COVID concerns at all,” she said.
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Masks are federally mandated at all U.S. airports.
Signage at Sky Harbor encourages physical distancing and vending machines in terminals are stocked with personal protection equipment. Coronavirus testing is available seven days a week at Terminal 4 in the presecurity area.
Arizona public health officials reported 445 news coronavirus cases Wednesday, the fifth straight day of fewer than 1,000 cases. It’s the longest stretch since a monthlong span ended Oct. 14.
Travelers should “give themselves extra time, especially if they haven’t traveled recently. Arrive at least two hours before your flight and familiarize yourself with what you can and can’t put in your carry-on bag,” Shelbrack said.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross and Nailea Leon and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
