/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-tbt.s3.amazonaws.com/public/QZVRI6GENUI6TKTRIBWI6S7HAY.jpg "Tampa International Airport is preparing for a 7 percent increase in spring break traffic this year. An estimated 3.1 million passengers could pass through the airport between Friday and April 16. CHRIS URSO | Times (2016)")
TAMPA — Spring break for Tampa International Airport starts Friday and runs through April 16.
Airport officials expect it to be their busiest ever, with traffic increasing by an estimated 7 percent to 3.1 million passengers for the period.
March 17 and 18, a Saturday and Sunday, are forecast to be the season's peak days with nearly 82,000 outbound passengers. That's about 30,000 more than an average day at the airport. Last year, March 18 was the day the airport saw fliers check the most luggage (28,781 bags).
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 2017 was a record year at Tampa International, St. Pete-Clearwater International
Travel demands are expected to be heavy enough that Southwest Airlines, the airport's biggest carrier, plans to add 13 to 39 daily departures starting March 8. The federal Transportation Security Administration is adding two permanent security lines beginning Friday to Airside C to handle up to 300 additional passengers per hour.
The airport itself and its vendors are adding staff — janitors, baggage handlers, police and 20 percent more concessions staff — at the terminal, SkyConnect train stations and new rental car center.
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Contact Richard Danielson at rdanielson@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3403. Follow @Danielson_Times
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