ORLANDO, Fla. – While the holiday travel season isn’t anything like it was before COVID-19 struck, officials at Orlando International Airport said they’ve seen more flights than expected in recent weeks.
According to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, OIA is starting the new year as the busiest airport in the country for departures.
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More than 60,000 passengers departed OIA on both Saturday and Sunday and for the eight-day period from Dec. 27, 2020 to Sunday, OIA had the most departing passengers in the nation, a news release said.
| Date | 2019-20 actual number of departures | Date | 2020-21 projected number of departures | 2020-21 actual number of departures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 27, 2019 | 80,355 | Dec. 27, 2020 | 44,571 | 51,876 |
| Dec. 28, 2019 | 85,161 | Dec. 28, 2020 | 41,540 | 43,092 |
| Dec. 29, 2019 | 80,727 | Dec. 29, 2020 | 36,910 | 38,715 |
| Dec. 30, 2019 | 80,174 | Dec. 30, 2020 | 36,426 | 47,478 |
| Dec. 31, 2019 | 66,857 | Dec. 31, 2020 | 26,007 | 38,456 |
| Jan. 1, 2020 | 73,625 | Jan. 1, 2021 | 28,385 | 42,063 |
| Jan. 2, 2020 | 79,009 | Jan. 2, 2021 | 42,643 | 60,680 |
| Jan. 3, 2020 | 82,063 | Jan. 3, 2021 | 44,971 | 60,855 |
The 21-day holiday travel period officially ends on Thursday.
Officials said travelers likely feel safe coming through OIA because of enhanced cleaning protocols and audio and visual reminders to social distance and follow other Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to stop the spread of the deadly respiratory illness.
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