ORLANDO, FL – It’s Christmas Eve and thousands of people are looking forward to going home for the holidays.
According to the Transportation Security AdministrationAmericans are traveling in record numbers as they expect 40 million people to be tested in the last two weeks of the year, an increase of 6.2% over last year.
What you need to know
- As of 4:30pm on Christmas Eve, flight tracking website FlightAware said Orlando International Airport had 161 planes. Delayed flights And at least two cancellations
- About 117,000 passengers are expected to travel through Orlando International Airport throughout the day
- According to airport officialsThe busiest travel day this week will be Saturday, with 192,000 passengers expected to travel.
All of this has been made more difficult thanks to some travel delays, starting on Christmas Eve morning when American Airlines All flights stopped nationwide for about an hour due to what they say is a “technical issue.”
As of 4:30 p.m., flight tracking website FlightAware said Orlando International Airport had 161 planes Delayed flights And at least two cancellations.
Despite this, Jean Skeldon is dressed head-to-toe in the holiday spirit during her Christmas Eve trip to St. Louis, Missouri.
“It’s the season, isn’t it?” said Skeldon, showing off her clothes. “Ho, ho, ho, and all that.”
She’s been waiting for this trip all year, and said she’s excited to see her daughter, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
“We’re going to make a lot of hugs and memories,” Skeldon said.
But her heart dropped when she saw what she feared: her flight was delayed.
“Oh, it’s a problem,” Skeldon said. “So far, we’ve only been late by half an hour. So maybe that’ll be it. We want to make sure we get there by Christmas Eve Mass. I have a granddaughter who sings and my daughter plays the flute, so it’s a very special Mass tonight.”
She’s not the only one feeling stressed on Christmas Eve.
About 117,000 passengers are expected to travel through Orlando International Airport throughout the day.
That’s why MCO Paw Pilot volunteer Joanne Jay Lesswing and her therapy dog, Essie, have been trying to spread a little comfort and holiday cheer.
“People coming in are stressed out, because they’ve been traveling all day,” she said. “People who are trying to get home and their flights are delayed.” “They’re stressed, and of course, emotions are always high around the holidays anyway.”
As for Skeldon, she hopes this is their only delay – she’s not worried about anything on the way back.
“This is when you want to postpone, because you want to stay with them,” she said.
Despite the headaches, she says none of that matters as long as she reaches her loved ones.
“Yes, family is worth it,” Skeldon said.
According to airport officialsThe busiest travel day this week will be Saturday, with 192,000 passengers expected to travel through the MCO.
