Holiday travel continues amid the rise of Coronavirus cases

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - It seems the omicron coronavirus isn’t having an effect on air travel.

Millions of Americans are taking to the sky this holiday season, despite the threat of the easily transmissible Omicron variant. The TSA says they screened more than 2 million people across airports nationwide for the sixth day in a row Wednesday.

The Fort Wayne International Airport had some busy times today as flights came in but not enough to negatively impact the travel experience. One man, Andrew Orndoff, traveling from Kansas City with his wife and daughter said “I think it was pretty normal. The airport wasn’t too busy. Nothing out of the ordinary. We were a little bit nervous traveling with her (6-month-old daughter) for the first time but it didn’t seem to be anything out there too scary”.

The transportation agency expected Thursday to be one of the busiest days of the holiday season.

Martha McCay, who is visiting Fort Wayne for the third year in a row, felt the travel rush when leaving Texas. “It was good other than Austin (Texas), which was more crowded than Chicago. Chicago was smooth. But Austin, it was really too crowded. I mean there should be a limit” says McCay.

Scott Hinderman, Executive Director of Airports, told us “The airport authority, our staff, is doing a great job and making sure that we have a clean environment. Will continue fogging our building for disinfected every night. We’re doing our part to keep everyone safe and all the travelers that come to Fort Wayne.”

The TSA are planning to screen 20 million people between December 23rd and January 3rd.

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