Syracuse airport expects nearly 29,000 travelers in six-day spring-break period

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) is prepared for an “anticipated significant increase” in local school district spring-break travelers this year.

From this Friday, April 8 through Wednesday, April 13, the airport is expecting just under 29,000 passengers to board flights at Hancock, the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) said Monday.

The figure represents a 103 percent increase over the same stretch last year near the end of the New York State travel advisory. The number is also an 11 percent increase in available seats over 2019, which was the busiest year in three decades at the Syracuse airport.

Parking

To accommodate the increased demand for parking, the SRAA says it is completing construction of an additional employee parking area this week. During peak demand times, employees of the airport will temporarily park in this new area, adjacent to the airport hotel. This will allow the traveling public to use the current employee lot’s roughly 470 spots, expanding the airport’s parking capacity to just over 5,000 spots.

This is “nearly three times the industry standard for similarly sized airports,” the SRAA contends.

During the final week in March, pre-book parking spots sold out for the spring-break stretch. It represents only a portion of the overall parking available to travelers. Those who have not pre-booked parking are encouraged to monitor the airport’s Facebook and Twitter feeds for regular parking updates during the spring-break period.

“We’re excited to see that families are back to traveling in full force this spring break,” Jason Terreri, SRAA executive director, said. “Our team continues to work around the clock to ensure a safe, secure, and efficient airport experience for our passengers.”

Pick-ups; TSA

SRAA also reminds drivers picking up arriving passengers that pick-ups now occur at the outer curb lines of the airport, adjacent to each terminal. Drivers are asked to follow the new color-coded signs directing motorists to the appropriate pick-up areas.

The front curb line of the airport is reserved for drop offs only. To protect the safety of pedestrians and motorists, drivers are not permitted to sit and wait along the side of Col. Eileen Collins Blvd.

Local Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials also recommend arriving at the Syracuse airport, two hours before a traveler’s scheduled departure, “especially during peak hours.” Peak TSA checkpoint traffic at the airport generally occurs between 4:30 and 6 a.m.; 10:00 a.m. through 12:00 p.m.; and 4-6 p.m.

Travelers with questions about what can and cannot pass through the TSA security checkpoint are encouraged to use the agency’s popular “Ask TSA” social-media accounts on Facebook and Twitter, SRAA said.

SRAA also notes that representatives from the airport’s Pets Easing Travelers (PET) program and Fly Guide Ambassadors will have more visits to the airport during peak hours to further help the traveling public.