BWI Has Busiest Day In Year; Southwest Adds New Beach Destination

LINTHICUM, MD — Travelers are starting to return to Baltimore/Washington International Airport. Officials said 22,968 passengers departed from the terminal last Friday. That is the highest total since the coronavirus pandemic began, but it is still well below normal levels.

Traffic also spiked last Thursday. The airport reported 18,690 security screenings that day, which was a pandemic-high until Friday shattered that record.

"BWI Marshall Airport remains the busiest in the Washington-Baltimore region," airport spokesperson Jonathan Dean said in a press release. "Recent data shows that BWI Marshall serves nearly half of the total passengers in the region."

Southwest Airlines announced a new destination Thursday during this surge. The budget airline will start nonstop service to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on May 23. Fares could be as low as $69 one-way.

"For Myrtle Beach, we know the arrival of our two bags fly free—with a golf bag able to count as one of those—will encourage visitors to fly Southwest instead of drive," Executive Vice President Andrew Watterson said in a statement.

This is the seventh new route that Southwest has added from BWI in recent months.

(Story continues below tweet)

Vacations Return

A Destination Analysts survey found that 36 percent of participants think travel will get back to normal this summer. Another 42 percent predicted it will be all set by the fall. Though 14 percent of respondents plan to vacation for spring break, 60 percent plan to travel for fun within the next three months.

With deals abound, AAA travel agents have seen heavy interest in Florida, Mexico and other Caribbean destinations. Those who don't want to fly have opted for road trips to national parks, the agency added.

"As the vaccine continues to roll out across the country, travel dreams are beginning to optimistically seem more realistic," John Townsend II, AAA Mid-Atlantic's manager of public and government affairs, said in a release. "This summer and fall will see more people traveling, addressing their need to get away for a break from everyday stressors."

Safety Measures Implemented

This travel surge comes after the Transportation Security Administration upped its coronavirus prevention efforts at airports across the country.

President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Feb. 2 requiring travelers to mask up. The TSA reported nearly 100 percent compliance with the rule.

Security officials have also encouraged their frontline officers to get the coronavirus vaccine. The organization additionally installed contactless scanners in many airports to reduce potential transmission.

"There is no higher priority than our operational readiness as well as the health and safety of our workforce and the traveling public," stated Darby LaJoye, senior official performing the duties of the TSA administrator.

BWI took it a step further. The airport installed a real-time physical distancing tracker on Jan. 22. The digital billboard at security checkpoint B alerts travelers when they are standing too close in line.

"BWI Marshall Airport has implemented many measures to help protect passengers and employees," Executive Director Ricky Smith said in a press release. "This innovation provides real-time data on passenger flow so we can notify travelers and manage separation."

Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Odenton-Severn newsletters and real-time email alerts.

RELATED:

• Travel Increases At BWI, Suggests Vacations Are Returning
• BWI Adds Real-Time Social Distancing Tracker At Security Checkpoint

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.