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The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey anticipates a record 14.8 million travelers will use its airports and crossings during the holiday season. This period, spanning from Monday, December 22nd to Sunday, January 4th, is expected to surpass last year's record by 1%, continuing a post-pandemic travel boom.
Of the 14.8 million travelers, 5.7 million passengers are projected to pass through major airports including John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, and New York Stewart International. The busiest travel days at these airports are anticipated to be Monday (December 22) and Sunday (December 28), followed by Tuesday (December 23) and Monday (December 29).
In addition to air travel, 9.1 million vehicles are expected to traverse the area's bridges and tunnels. To accommodate this surge, the Port Authority will suspend non-emergency roadwork at its crossings from Tuesday (December 23) through Friday (January 2). However, overnight lane closures are still planned at the Holland and Lincoln tunnels and the Outerbridge Crossing.
The Port Authority advises travelers to arrive early, at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international departures. They also recommend using public transit to ease congestion.
The agency's projections reflect the ongoing recovery in travel demand since the COVID-19 pandemic, with international passenger levels exceeding pre-2020 numbers for the first time last year. Despite this rebound, challenges such as flight delays and cancellations remain common.
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