KCI expects more than half a million holiday travelers

More than half a million passengers are expected to use Kansas City International Airport now through Jan. 3. Aviation Department officials encourage travelers to arrive early.

That means 90 minutes ahead for most flights and two hours ahead for international travel. Curbside parking rules will be strictly enforced, officials say, to keep things moving.

Officials say the busiest days are expected to have 37,000 travelers pass through the airport. During the 17-day holiday period, 4,780 arrivals and departures are scheduled.

The airport has more than 23,000 parking spaces in garages and lots, the officials said, emphasizing that parking at the KCI terminal curbs is not allowed. Traffic control officers will strictly enforce the no-parking rules, including asking drivers waiting curbside for passengers to move their vehicles.

Travelers also are encouraged to check flykci.com for flight status, check in online, and print out itineraries and boarding passes at home. A complete list of prohibited items on flights, and other security information, is at tsa.gov.

Nationwide, 38.1 million air passengers are expected, up 3 percent from a year ago, according to the trade group Airlines for America. The 73,000 additional passengers compared with last year will have flights 80 to 90 percent full, the trade group said.

This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 8:30 AM with the headline "KCI expects more than half a million holiday travelers."