Contact: Greg Haug
Airport Manager
Bismarck Airport
(701) 355-1808
For Immediate Release: November 25, 2014
BISMARCK AIRPORT EXPECTING HEAVY TRAFFIC OVER THE HOLIDAYS!
(Bismarck, ND)-. With the holiday travel season upon us, Bismarck Airport officials are expecting a busy airport and want to ensure that passengers are prepared for their flights. This year passengers have the opportunity to fly on five (5) different airlines to their favorite destinations. “The airport is coming off its busiest month ever, with 23,491 passengers boarding in October and every indication we have suggests that this will be our busiest holiday travel season on record as well, said Greg Haug, Airport Manger.” Newcomer, American Airlines started daily service to Dallas/Ft. Worth and Chicago in October and Allegiant Airlines has added more flights to Orlando and Las Vegas. Add to this our great service on Delta, United and Frontier and it adds up to a lot of traffic!
Airport Officials are offering the following tips to passenger who will be traveling through the Bismarck Airport this holiday season. Overall, plan a little more time getting to and through the airport.
• Parking – parking lots can fill up fast. It may take a little longer to find a spot and the open spaces might not be in the lot you normally park in. The airport has three lots, short term, long term and economy.
• Luggage - Remember to pack lightly to avoid overweight baggage fees. Check with your airline about checked baggage limits and carry-on items. Remember the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 3-1-1 rule for carry-on bags, see www.tsa.gov for more information. This will help avoid delays and at the ticket counter and the security checkpoint.
• Presents –Do not wrap any gifts or packages. Wrapped packages are not prohibited, but it may be necessary for the TSA to unwrap them for either carry-on baggage or checked baggage screening.
o Hint: consider shipping presents ahead of time
• Check –in – Airport officials recommend being in the terminal at least 1.5 to 2 hours prior to your departure time depending on the airline you are traveling and the time of day you are traveling (early mornings are the busiest). You and your bags must be checked well in advance of the actual flight departure time. Airlines are strictly enforcing ticket counter cut off times in order to meet an on-time departure. Each airline has these times listed on their websites and they vary from 30 to 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. The airport and airlines don’t want to see anyone miss their flight, so please arrive early and check in on time.
o Hint: Check in for your flight on-line. This can be done up to 24 hours in advance of the scheduled departure time.
o Hint: If you check-in early and have your boarding pass but need to check a bag at the counter, use the special line for baggage drop off only. This will help speed your time up at the counter.
Ticket Counter Cut Off Time
Delta 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO DEPARTURE*
United 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO DEPARTURE*
American 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO DEPARTURE*
Frontier 45 MINUTES PRIOR TO DEPARTURE*
Allegiant 60 MINUTES PRIOR TO DEPARTURE*
*All times are as listed on the airlines website for domestic travel
• Security Checkpoint - Travelers should expect longer than average waits in the security checkpoint line so plan additional time to compensate for this as well.
o Hint: Be ready when you arrive at the checkpoint, while waiting in line start preparing:
o Remove your jacket,
o remove your belt ,
o if you have a laptop computer make sure it is easy to get to as you’ll be required to remove it from it bag.
o Be prepared to take out you 3-1-1 bag
o Tablets, such as IPAD, are not required to be removed from your bag
o Wear slip on shoes, if you don’t have them, have your shoes untied before reaching the front of the line
o Have your photo ID and boarding pass ready before reaching the front of the line.
These simple this hints will also make reorganizing a breeze too.
Again the airport doesn’t want to see anyone miss their flight and ask that passengers be in the terminal at least 1.5 to 2 hours prior to their flight’s departure time. If you have any questions, please contact your airline. From everyone at the Bismarck Airport, have a safe and wonderful holiday season!
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