Rochester Airport prepares for increased traveler numbers as Labor Day approaches

ROCHESTER, NY — Monday is Labor Day, which means people are taking their last trip before summer ends or school starts again. Domestic flights are set to increase 9% this year, according to AAA.

News10NBC TODAY reports live from Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport on what travelers can expect. Airport director Andy Moore says about 25,000 travelers typically pass through the airport around Labor Day and that there could be more this year. This was the busiest July at the Rochester airport in about six years. There were also two days in August that saw the most passengers per day in six years.

“We’ve definitely seen an increase in business and leisure travelers, which is great,” Moore said.

Moore says the travel rush usually starts on Thursday. He urges people to arrive early and be patient at the TSA checkpoint.

Moore also talked about new nonstop destinations opening at the Rochester airport. Southwest Airlines will soon offer flights to Las Vegas and Spirit Airlines will offer flights to Fort Lauderdale. Avelo Airlines will also offer flights to Lakeland, Florida, in addition to Concord and Charlotte.

“It’s exciting. I mean, our numbers are up from 2023. So we’re continuing to move in the right direction as more and more people travel,” Moore said.