
ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The Thanksgivings Holidays is one of the busiest years for Lambert International Airport and it could be even busier than expected.
Lambert Airport Director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge joined KMOX Wednesday to discuss the holiday season and she says the number of travelers passing through the airport this year for the Thanksgiving rush is already exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
"We're exceeding it this weekend," said Hamm-Niebruegge. "It's really fun to see the numbers climb."
The airport has already seen alot of traffic already. On Tuesday, Lambert saw 21,160 through the checkpoints and about 46 to 47 thousand passengers total the entire day.
Hamm-Niebruegge says the busiest days for the Thanksgiving Holiday is the Sunday after Thanksgiving and Wednesday.
"Clearly Sunday will be the busiest, we project at around 24,000 and we usually have been coming in over the projection," said Hamm-Niebruegge. "And that's just through the checkpoint. We anticipate around 50,000 total on Sunday."
Hamm-Niebruegge hopes the holiday season will be a lot smoother compared to last year. Of course, many will remember the Southwest issues last holiday season.
While things like weather are beyond their control, the airport is better prepared now than last year.
"Things are moving along, there are a lot of Hands On-Deck from everyone, including the airlines, and airport and our partners so there are a lot of people who are making sure this holiday will go smoothly," said Hamm-Niebruegge.
Throughout the Holiday season, Hamm-Niebruegge asks travelers and passengers to "come with patience" as airports are busy and be prepared ahead of time.
"Give yourself some extra time. Make sure you know that when you got 50,000 people coming through the airport, that's a lot to cram through our facility," said Hamm-Nuebruegge. "