Tulsa International Airport Seeing Resurgence Of Passengers

Tulsa International Airport said they’re seeing an increase in the number of people flying, driven both by spring break and more Americans getting COVID-19 vaccinations.

With spring break here, more people are traveling through Tulsa International Airport than at any point over the last 12 months.

Airport officials said they're seeing a big increase in travelers, with more than 4,000 going through the TSA checkpoint on Friday.

Marty Theis is leaving Tulsa Tuesday for a trip to California. He said he's seen more people on each flight he's taken over the past few months.

"It's been okay, in fact I actually flew at the very beginning of the pandemic, I think in March, and it was like paradise, no lines it was like a ghost town, it was like 'what?'," Theis said.

Theis said he's glad though that things are beginning to open up and return to normal.

Tulsa International Airport said the surge is driven by spring break, and more Americans getting COVID vaccinations.

"I think a lot of it's obviously because of the vaccines, people are starting to get vaccinated, and are a little bit more comfortable with traveling. But also, I think there's been a little pent up demand," Andrew Pierini with TIA said.

Pierini said they expect the spike to continue over the next few weeks. He said airline companies are also projecting more travelers this summer, which is great news for the industry.

Travelers like Theis say they think it'll take a little longer to return to normal.

"As far as things getting to the point where we're all like sardines again, I think people are still really cautious, so I think it'll be a while before that," Theis said.

Airport officials say the same health requirements are in place. The mask requirement inside airports is now federal law.