Thousands of people are expected to head to PDX in what officials anticipate to be the busiest travel week in about two years. PDX officials say there will be around 49,000 travelers each day from now until December 27. That is more than double the total PDX saw this time last year, as the pandemic put the brakes on a lot of holiday plans.
By the end of the year, PDX is expecting to have had 11.9 million travelers in all of 2021, a nearly 5 million person increase from 2020. Travel numbers are still not back to pre-pandemic totals, however. In 2019, 19.8 million people came through PDX.
Local health officials are suggesting that travelers go the extra mile in terms of social distancing protocols though. Also suggesting people get their booster shots if they haven’t already and get a rapid COVID-19 test done if it’s available as an extra precaution.
Officials say, “Mask up. The federal mask mandate was extended to March 18, 2022; face coverings are still required inside at airports nationwide and onboard all airlines serving PDX.
Even though PDX has a great reputation for being a smooth operation, people this season should arrive at least two hours in advance. It’s critical for travelers to give themselves enough time to navigate the travel process.
