Richmond International Airport officials offer holiday travel tips amid record-setting holiday travel for Virginians
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As holiday season travel ramps up, Richmond International Airport (RIC) officials are urging Virginians to plan ahead for a smooth travel journey.
With AAA expecting more than 186,000 Virginians to jet off to their holiday destinations, which is up 2.5% from last year, RIC officials recommend arriving early for parking, check-in and security screening.
"To-do lists can get long around the holidays and double checking to ensure you’re following travel regulations may seem like one more thing, but the preparation will pay off in time saved,” said Perry J. Miller, president and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Commission. “Providing a world-class customer experience is our priority, and knowing these travel tips beforehand can help us get you quickly on your way to your holiday destination.”
AAA predicts a record-setting 3.4 million Virginians will travel 50 or more miles over the holidays this year, from Saturday, Dec. 20 to Thursday, Jan. 1 -- 68,000 more travelers than at this time last year.
“The year-end holidays are a great time to get in one more trip before the calendar flips to the new year,” said Morgan Dean, AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson for Virginia. “It might be a trip to see friends and family, or it might be a vacation to a warmer destination before the coldest days of the winter arrive. Roads, airports and cruise ports will all be busy during the final days of 2025.”
Airport officials are offering the following tips for those traveling during the holidays:
- Remember the 90/40 rule
- Make time to get REAL ID
- Follow the 3-1-1 rule that limits liquids, gels and aerosois
- Prepare for security
- Check for prohibited items
- Bringing electronics
- Food is subject to inspection
- Traveling with gifts
During the Thanksgiving holiday, RIC saw spikes in passenger travel, with recent data showing higher numbers for Sunday and Monday after Thanksgiving.
