CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With Thanksgiving nearing, and the holiday season nearly upon us, Charlotte Douglas International Airport and its partners, including restaurants, transportation, and security, are gearing up for a busy travel rush up against unique COVID-19 pandemic concerns.
"We do have staffing challenges like lots of folks do," Jack Christine, the chief operating officer for Charlotte Douglas International Airport, told reporters Tuesday. "We will be having folks on overtime and doing everything we can do to help people move through the system."
Staffing challenges expand to operations throughout the airport.
"Our restaurants are still struggling some, we're not as bad as we were," Christine explained. "You'll see some areas where it'll take a little bit longer - but we're hoping with all the effort we're putting into it, it will be fairly minimal to the customer."
Airport officials anticipate the number of travelers will be near pre-pandemic numbers.
The busiest travel days are anticipated to be the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
Air travelers are advised to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their scheduled flight.
Even if Mecklenburg County were to discontinue their countywide mask mandate, which currently includes Charlotte, airport officials said masks will still be required in the airport and on flights.