Crowds, long lines continue at Charlotte Douglas as holiday travel season nears end

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Lines already long at Charlotte Douglas for busiest travel day of holiday season

Security lines at Charlotte Douglas Airport have been ebbing and flowing all day Thursday, as travelers close out the holiday travel season.

Channel 9 spoke with travelers who have gotten through in as little as 15 minutes and some who have waited more than an hour.

“I didn’t realize how long this would take,” traveler Gabriela Maldin said. “We arrived at 10 so we’ve been here for fifty minutes and we haven’t even made it to the security line yet.”

An estimated 34,000 people will start their travel at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in addition to the 100,000 people who connect there every day throughout the holiday travel period.

Airport officials said most flights are near capacity and travelers should expect longer wait times in lines.

Depending on where travelers are going, some may run into some weather issues.

>>In the video above, Eyewitness News anchor Susanna Black breaks down what travelers should expect as they fly out of Charlotte Douglas Airport this holiday season.

Thursday expected to be busiest travel day of holiday season Thursday expected to be busiest travel day of holiday season

The busy season will continue through Jan. 5 and airport officials are asking everyone to show up early.

“We're going to have a lot of people here to help move passengers through the terminal, through the security and check in process but it does make it a lot easier if passengers come to the airport with plenty of time so they’re not rushing to get to their departing flights,” said Jack Christine, the COO of Charlotte Douglas.

The airport is asking everyone to be patient as passengers work to reach their final destinations.

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