MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is prepping for the annual Minnesota Educators Association (MEA) break... one of the busiest times for families traveling throughout the year.
The break is on Thursday, Oct. 20 and Friday, Oct. 21 this year.
Airport officials expect more than 36,600 passengers to go through TSA checkpoints on Thursday and another 36,000 on Friday, according to an MSP news release.
"MEA break is traditionally a popular vacation time for Minnesotans, and we're prepared to welcome and help travelers get off to a great start to their fall vacations this week," said CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, Brian Ryks in a statement. "We anticipate a couple of heavy travel days at the front end of MEA break, with some peak departure activity occurring around the earliest flights on those days."
MSP is increasing its staff for the busy four-day weekend, "especially in ticketing lobby areas to improve passenger flow and line management."
Per usual, airport officials suggest arriving two hours before domestic flights and three hours prior to international flights.
MSP officials also offered some pro tips to travelers this extended weekend:
- The airport's free cell phone parking lot on Post Road allows drivers to wait until they receive a call from an arriving friend or family member when they are ready to be picked up
- Save $2 per day when you prebook parking online
- Review the TSA's tips for traveling with children, including what you can and cannot bring through security
As part of the annual MEA travel weekend, MSP is holding festive events, including a balloon artist and giveaways in the Terminal 1 Airport Mall on Oct. 19, between 1-4 p.m.
There will also be live music at the Terminal 1 Airport Mall Gallery from 2-4 p.m. on Oct. 19.