Spokane airport anticipates 'busiest summer season ever'

SPOKANE — Spokane International Airport is anticipating this coming summer travel season to be the busiest in the airport's history, with an average of more than 8,500 departing seats each day in June and July, a press release said.

Departing seats for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend are up nearly 18% from last year.

The increase is largely driven by new or expanded air services to popular markets, including Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco, according to the press release. 

"GEG is now recognized as one of the busiest small-hub airports in the nation, thanks in part to airlines' continued investment in the Spokane region," said Interim Spokane Airports CEO Frank Miller. 

Miller added that though increased capacity gives travelers more options, it also means "a significant increase in passengers going through checkpoints during peak travel times." He encouraged travelers to arrive early before their flight. 

Passenger thoroughfare is expected to peak daily between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., with over 4,000 passengers expected to arrive, depart and connect through GEG during this period. Other daily high-volume periods are between 4 and 7 a.m. and between 9 and 11:59 p.m. 

GEG recommends that passengers arrive to the airport at least two hours before their scheduled boarding time, ensure their identification is REAL-ID compliant, double-check the contents of their carry-on for prohibited items prior to screening and to review guidelines for traveling with children if applicable.