UPDATE: Florida airports are grappling with a massive surge in post-Thanksgiving travelers, with Miami International Airport (MIA) and Palm Beach International Airport (PBIA) facing overwhelming crowds. More than 55 million Americans are estimated to have traveled during this holiday period, making it one of the busiest in recent years.
At MIA, long security lines stretched through the terminal as passengers navigated the chaos of holiday travel. Camille Juban, who is delayed on her journey to Guadeloupe, shared her experience: “I live in Guadeloupe, so I was spending the night here yesterday and I’m taking Air France now to go to Guadeloupe,” she told Local 10.
Meanwhile, PBIA declared a parking crisis on Thanksgiving Day. At approximately 1:33 p.m., officials announced that all parking lots were full, urging travelers to seek alternative transportation options like taxis and rideshares. The situation eased by 4 p.m. as flights began to arrive, clearing out parking spaces, according to WPBF.
Travelers are feeling the impact of this surge, as Gina Guilford recounted her journey from Miami to Gainesville, Florida, to visit family after celebrating Thanksgiving. “I had Thanksgiving with my mom and my whole family, it was wonderful. Then up bright and early to visit my son and daughter-in-law,” Guilford said.
The rush is only expected to intensify, with projections indicating that more than 3.7 million passengers will take to the skies nationwide on Sunday alone, surpassing all previous travel days this season.
As the holiday rush continues, travelers are advised to remain patient and plan ahead, as airports brace for even more congestion in the coming days. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this developing situation.
