ALCOA, Tenn. — (WOKI / WVLT) -McGhee Tyson Airport is urging travelers to arrive early as passenger traffic increases during the busy summer travel season.
Airport officials are asking passengers to get to the terminal at least two and a half hours before their scheduled flights, citing longer wait times at TSA security checkpoints.
In a message to travelers, the airport acknowledged recent congestion.
“We’ve seen the lines. We’ve seen your photos. We know the security lines have been long lately,” the airport said in a statement.
Officials say the surge is due to a combination of factors, including more flights scheduled during peak hours and the addition of a new airline, increasing the number of passengers passing through the airport.
The busiest times at McGhee Tyson are currently between 5 and 7 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 4 to 6 p.m., when multiple departures are scheduled close together.
Airport leaders say while TSA officers are working to process travelers as efficiently as possible, there are limits to how quickly passengers can move through checkpoints. Equipment issues or maintenance can also lead to delays.
To address growing demand, the airport is planning improvements. A key project includes expanding the TSA security checkpoint to accommodate record passenger numbers.
Officials say design work is already underway for the upgrade, which is expected to improve passenger flow in the future.
In the meantime, travelers are encouraged to allow extra time, especially during peak travel windows.
