Passenger Travel Hits New Pandemic High at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport

May 27, leading into the Memorial Day weekend marked the busiest day for departing passengers at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport since the start of Maryland’s COVID-19 State of Emergency. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened 25,138 departing passengers last Thursday at BWI Marshall Airport. Over the five days from May 27 through Memorial Day May 31, a total of 109,214 departing passengers were screened by TSA at BWI Marshall.

The weekend proved busy across the nation, as the TSA screened nearly two million passengers at U.S. airports on May 28, the highest daily total in more than a year. For BWI Marshall Airport, the Thursday high was part of a busy month. For the month of May, the TSA screened 622,971 departing passengers at BWI Marshall, an increase of 677 percent compared to May 2020.

“We continue to see growing demand for air travel as more Americans are vaccinated,” said Ricky Smith, executive director for BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. “We want our customers to know that the airport and our partners remain committed to safe, healthy travel.”

The Memorial Day holiday weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and travel volume is expected to continue growing in coming months. BWI Marshall Airport is working to provide services for the rising level of passenger traffic. Last week, the airport reopened its Long Term B parking lot, and 77 percent of airport food and retail concessions are now open to serve travelers.

“The BWI Marshall Airport team and our partners did a great job serving our customers on a busy holiday weekend, and are ready to meet increased consumer demand during the summer months and beyond,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Greg Slater. “As more people take to the skies, they trust BWI Marshall to offer an efficient, safe and positive travel experience.”

Travelers are reminded that federal regulations continue to require face coverings or masks in the airport terminal and on commercial flights. Only ticketed passengers and employees are permitted in the terminal at this time. Other health and safety initiatives at BWI Marshall include enhanced cleaning and sanitation; hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the terminal; protective barriers at security checkpoints, ticket counters and information desks; and physical distance markers in high-traffic areas. Health information is provided on information displays and overhead announcements.