The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) reminds travelers to give themselves extra time at the airport this Thanksgiving holiday season, as officials prepare for a 10% increase in passenger volume at the state’s five busiest airports.
The busiest travel days are expected to be the day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, Nov. 26 and Sunday, Nov. 30. Peak travel times are typically between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
HDOT announced the following tips for air travelers:
- Prior to going to the airport, check with your airline on the status of your flight, including any delays and gate assignments, as well as baggage claim area if you’re picking up arriving passengers.
- Remember to bring your REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID, passport or other acceptable form of identification to avoid delays at security checkpoints.
- Plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to your scheduled flight departure for mainland or international flights, or 90 minutes early for interisland flights, to allow sufficient time to complete every step of the travel process including finding a place to park, checking luggage and getting through security.
- If possible, get dropped off or use public transportation to get to the airport. On O‘ahu, travelers can take advantage of the city’s Skyline rail service to get to and from the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, thus avoiding traffic and parking fees.
- Hawai‘i airport parking lots fill up quickly over the holidays, particularly at the Līhu‘e and Hilo.
