Christmas travellers head out on year's busiest travel day

THUNDER BAY -- Eloise Rosina has big plans to make a gingerbread house with her grandmother over the holidays.

The seven-year-old got to leave school early Friday afternoon to wait for her grandma’s flight from Toronto to arrive at the Thunder Bay International Airport.

She was excited to see her grandma because the two have plenty of fun activities planned.

Although the lineup at security in the airport was long and the crowd waiting for arrivals was growing, Eloise’s mother Catharine wasn’t letting the pressure of the holidays get to her.

“I’ve taken a totally different perspective this year and toned things way down to keep it simple and to just enjoy the season rather than stress,” she said.

Throughout December, the Thunder Bay airport sees about 65,000 travellers and interim president and CEO Ed Schmidtke says Dec. 19 to Christmas Eve are some of the busiest days of the year.

“We start to really ramp up after the end of Christmas exams for the university students. We’re seeing every flight full. We’re seeing extra
flights this time of year,” he said.

“It’s a really happy time of year in the building with all the family coming and receiving their friends and family,” he added.
Seeing so many people smiling in the building inspired the airport to start their Home for the Holidays contest.

People can post a picture of themselves picking up family at the airport and win a trip for two to Toronto. Details are on the Thunder Bay International Airport’s Facebook page. 

With the airport so busy this time of year, Schmidtke also wants to remind passengers to arrive early for their flights, especially with more airlines becoming stricter with their check-in cutoff times.

Also, wrapped gifts in carry-on bags may be subject to search, so if possible, pack wrapped packages in checked baggage.