HANOVER TWP., LEHIGH COUNTY, Pa. — Lehigh Valley International Airport is gearing up for a busy summer travel season in 2023.
With the school year coming to an end, many families are set to embark on vacations, leading to an anticipated surge in passenger numbers at the airport.
- Lehigh Valley International Airport is preparing for a busy summer travel season in 2023, with an anticipated surge in passenger numbers
- ABE has provided travel tips for passengers, including allowing extra time for TSA processing and checking carry-on bags for prohibited items when traveling with children
- ABE is launching a new route to Denver and undergoing infrastructure improvements such as new TSA checkpoints
Thomas R. Stoudt, the executive director of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, expressed confidence in the airport staff's preparedness for the influx of travelers and urged passengers to remain vigilant during their air travel.
“ABE staff is ready for the rush, but we also encourage our passengers to remain engaged during their air travel,” Stoudt said.
Travel tips
To ensure a smooth journey, ABE has provided travel tips for passengers:
- Allow extra time for processing through the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint
- Reach out to TSA for any general inquiries or special travel arrangements
- Double-check carry-on bags for prohibited items when traveling with children
- Know that passengers under 18 years old don't need travel identification if accompanied by an adult
- Boarding is set to begin 30 to 45 minutes prior to departure
- Checked bags will not be accepted less than 30 minutes before departure
According to the U.S. Transportation Department's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, passengers traveling by air this summer and encountering issues such as flight disruptions and misplaced baggage can seek information about their rights and the obligations of airlines on the official website.
The website provides a dashboard that outlines the airlines that willingly cover expenses such as meals, ground transportation and hotel accommodations resulting from substantial delays and cancellations caused by the airline's responsibility.
It also offers a direct link to a platform where consumers can register complaints.
Passengers can review the weather forecast for both their destination and any layover cities. The Federal Aviation Administration provides a website displaying areas where severe weather conditions may potentially disrupt air travel on a daily basis.
'Reduced capacity' during busy time
In terms of passenger traffic, ABE saw a total of 73,481 passengers in April, representing a 10.74% decrease compared with April 2022, when 82,321 passengers were recorded.
“Airlines have reduced seats and capacity for the summer months, in order to ensure that they are able to meet the demand.”Colin Riccobon, director of public and government relations with Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority
Regarding the aviation industry, Stoudt acknowledged the challenges faced by airlines, such as the pilot shortage and rising operating expenses.
Those factors have led to reduced flight schedules, affecting ticket prices and passenger activity nationwide.
To prevent last year’s nationwide issues in air travel, such as flight delays and cancellations, from happening again, airlines also have cut down on seats available in the market.
“Airlines have reduced seats and capacity for the summer months, in order to ensure that they are able to meet the demand,” said Colin Riccobon, director of public and government relations with Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.
“We had a record-breaking summer last year, really, when it came to our travel numbers,” he said. However, he said Lehigh Valley International Airport may not have been seriously impacted by the disruptions seen in other, even busier, airports.
New route to Denver
ABE also announced a travel reminder that Allegiant Air will commence nonstop service to Denver starting on June 15. Passengers are encouraged to visit the ABE website to book trips.
“We're really, really excited about being able to send people West,” Riccobon said. He said the new route has been a popular selling ticket since its announcement.
The new service will be a two-season destination: the hiking and ski seasons when people find good reasons to travel, Riccobon said.
Given that summer already is a busy time and there’s been excitement over the Denver route, Riccobon said the addition is positive in terms of new traffic for the airport.
Renewed TSA checkpoint
Additionally, LVIA is undergoing a major infrastructure improvement with the anticipated completion of the new TSA Checkpoint and Terminal Connector this summer.
“I don’t have a direct date yet,” Riccobon said. “So I would just say summer of 2023.”
The $35 million investment will bring several enhancements, including four TSA security checkpoint screening lanes, improved vertical circulation equipment such as elevators and escalators, shorter walking distances with separation of arriving and departing passengers and enhanced air purification systems.
"Only outbound passengers will go out on the ticketing level, the inbound passengers arriving will still use the tunnel to go to baggage claim.”Colin Riccobon, director of public and government relations with Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority
“If you know our airport and you've ever been there, you know we have a two-lane TSA checkpoint in which there are outbound passengers and inbound passengers flowing through so it's two-way traffic,” Riccobon said.
“So what this new checkpoint is going to do is bring that checkpoint downstairs actually upstairs to the ticketing level, so people will go to the ticket counter and then really have a short walk on the same level right to the TSA checkpoint.
“And it's going to start with three lanes, but it has the potential expanse of four lanes, which will certainly speed up the process for people.”
He said outbound passengers will go out on the ticketing level, the inbound passengers arriving still will use the tunnel to go to baggage claim.
Riccobon said that instead of having to take a few escalator rides, users of the new checkpoint will need only one escalator or elevator ride up to the next level and into the departure terminal.
“It's a more direct route from the ticket counter to take off for our passengers,” he said.
LVIA an important logistics hub
As a logistics hub in the e-commerce era, the airport also has seen the highest air cargo volume in its history, Riccobon said.
In April, ABE processed a total of 23,605,287 pounds of air cargo, which reflects an increase of 53.4% over April 2022.
“We continue to see growth, which is not thoroughly happening across the country in some ways,” Riccobon said.
"This is not a new thing for us."
