SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - The San Diego International Airport expects an increase in travelers during the upcoming holiday season, even as cases of coronavirus surge in San Diego.
"We have seen an increase (in the past)," says Airport Spokesperson Nicole Hall. "So we are planning for that. We have additional flights leaving San Diego and anticipate an increase in the travel during that time."
When the pandemic started, passenger travel at the San Diego International Airport dropped more than 90%. It has since recovered a bit. Airport officials say they're now down 67% from last year.
With more people expected to fly over the holidays, the airport has increased it's efforts to make sure everyone who passes through it stays safe.
They are requiring masks for every person in the airport. Signs shaped like surfboards help mark 6-foot social distancing requirements on the floor. Seats are marked as "off-limits." Plexiglass dividers line ticket counters and concession areas. And the airport has increased cleaning of high-volume touch points like elevator buttons and hand rails.
The airport has also made parking near the terminal free for the first 10 minutes, as a way to deter people from circling while waiting to pick up passengers.
Several PPE vending machines have been installed around the terminals to provide masks and hand sanitizer in case anyone forgets it or needs extra.
Full details on the airport's COVID-safety plan is available at https://www.san.org/gosafely.
