Memorial Day weekend air travel experienced a significant recovery after a two-year decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported screening over 9.8 million travelers at airports across the country during the four-day holiday period, surpassing pre-pandemic levels from 2019 by approximately 300,000. Friday's screening volume alone reached around 2.74 million, setting a new post-pandemic record. This surge in travel aligns with predictions made earlier by travel website AAA, which anticipated a higher number of holiday travelers compared to four years ago. The strong demand for flights, despite high ticket prices, suggests that this Memorial Day weekend could be a remarkable one for air travel, according to Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel. The positive news has also led to a rise in airline stocks following the announcement.
Photo Credit: Aaron Burden