DFW AIRPORT, Texas — Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is preparing for one of its busiest travel periods of the year, with an estimated 4.7 million passengers expected to travel to, from or through the airport during the spring break period from March 5 through March 24.
Airport officials say the heaviest travel days are expected during the weekends of March 13 to 16 and March 20 to 23, when roadways and terminal curbsides are likely to experience the most congestion.
Many North Texas school districts will observe spring break during the week of March 16 to 20, concentrating travel demand and increasing passenger volumes throughout the airport.
Officials recommend travelers arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international departures to allow time for traffic, parking, check in and security screening.
According to airport projections, the three busiest overall travel days during the holiday period are expected to be March 15 with about 262,000 passengers, March 22 with about 259,000 passengers, and March 13 with approximately 253,000 passengers.
For travelers beginning or ending their trips at DFW, the busiest days are expected to be March 22 with about 126,000 local passengers, March 13 with about 125,000, March 15 with about 123,000, March 12 with about 118,000 and March 19 with about 116,000.
Airport officials said the heaviest traffic around terminals is expected from late morning through early evening throughout the travel period.
Drivers should also be aware of ongoing construction near Terminal C. Due to bridge work along International Parkway, Terminal C is currently accessible only from the southbound entrance. Travelers approaching from the south must pass the terminal entrances and take a left hand U turn near the North Exit Plaza before returning southbound to access the terminal.
DFW officials noted that American Airlines passengers departing from Terminal C may choose to check in and pass through security at Terminal A and then use the Skylink train to reach their gate in Terminal C to avoid potential congestion near the construction area.
Airport officials encourage travelers to plan ahead, confirm their departure terminal and consider prebooking parking to help reduce delays during the busy spring break period.
