According to the Transportation Safety Administration data, a massive surge in travel recorded as Memorial Day kicked off the unofficial start of summer travel, About 1.95 million people were screened on Friday, more than 1.65 million individuals were screened on Sunday and 1.90 million did so on Monday at airports across the United States, As of Sunday data of 1.65 million showing an increase of 368% compared with 2020 figures when 352,947 individuals traveled via airports.
TSA figures show there was a 499% increase in travelers at U.S. airports on Friday alone with 1.95 million travelings compared with numbers from the last yr on the same day when just 327,133 took flight. And there was a 497% increase on Saturday when around 1.6 million individuals traveled compared with 268,867 in 2020.
And more than 37 million Americans were estimated to have traveled 50 miles or more from home between May 27 and May 31, according to the American Automobile Association. That’s a 60% increase from the last yr when travel was halted during the pandemic.
In May, an average of 1.6 million people a day was screened at U.S. airports, down one-third from the 2.4 million people a day who went through TSA checkpoints in May 2019.
Airlines say bookings have surged thanks to COVID-19 vaccinations, a reduction in COVID-19 case counts, the lifting of travel restrictions, and the reopening of tourist attractions.
For one, face coverings are still a must during air travel. The federal mask mandate on public transportation, including airports and airplanes, was due to expire May 11 but was extended through Sept. 13.
