116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Eastern Iowa Airport anticipates busiest Thanksgiving since 2019
More seats are due to bigger aircraft, director says
CEDAR RAPIDS — Eastern Iowa Airport says the facility is on track to record its second busiest year for Thanksgiving travel since 2019.
The number of seats in the market are more than three years ago for the same holiday period and flights are expected to nearly full with Thanksgiving travelers, Airport Director Marty Lenss said in a news release Monday.
“When comparing available seats in the market for the same Thanksgiving (Monday through Thursday) travel period in 2019 compared to this year, we have 8 percent more seats this year,” Lenss said.
“In addition, we are seeing much larger aircraft than in 2019. The average number of seats per departure is at 109 per flight. In 2019 that number was 78 seats per flight.”
That 37 percent increase is due to an airlines pilot shortage, Lenss said.
The airlines have been removing most of the smaller, 50-seat regional jets from their fleets, and replacing them with larger mainline aircraft.
“What we are seeing is that our airline partners continue to invest in the CID market — and the region’s passengers are responding,” he said.
“It is essential people use CID to not only maintain the air service we have, but to show airlines there are opportunities here to add service.”
CID refers to the airport’s identification letters.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lenss noted, Allegiant Air added flights to Sarasota Bradenton and Frontier Airlines to Orlando International.
That gave Eastern Iowa Airport nonstop flights to 16 destinations, with connections from there on to other locations.
For those traveling through the airport for Thanksgiving, Lenss suggested:
- Arrive at least 90 minutes before departure.
- Check the Transportation Security Administration website at tsa.gov/travel to read about going through security checkpoints — the 3-1-1- liquid rule still applies — and what is allowed in carry-on or checked luggage.
- Monitor your airline website for flight delays and cancellations. You can sign up for their email or text alerts.
Passengers line up to board a United Airlines flight to Chicago at the Eastern Iowa Airport in April. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Airport Director Marty Lenss delivers remarks during an event marking the near-completion of the new UPS air cargo facility at Eastern Iowa Airport in June 2021. (The Gazette)
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