Tulsa International Airport is urging travelers to plan ahead for its busiest week of the year as it expects more than 70,000 passengers to pass through between Nov. 25 and Dec. 1. That’s a 3.5% increase from the same period last year.
The three busiest travel days are expected to be Tuesday, Nov. 25, Wednesday, Nov. 26 and Sunday, Nov. 30.
The airport has advised travelers to:
- Make sure they have a REAL ID or a passport.
- Keep prohibited items out of your luggage and make sure liquids, gels and aerosols are TSA compliant.
- Check your flight status ahead of time and arrive at least 90 minutes before your scheduled departure time. The security checkpoint will open at 3:45 a.m.
- If you’re planning to park, check the website for options ahead of time.
What to expect if you’re driving
People who are driving should also be cautious and prepared. According to AAA, nearly 82 million people are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the same week — with 73 million of them driving.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has advised drivers to “slow down” and be wary of work zones on their way to and from home. Here is a list of work zones in the Tulsa metro:
I-44/US-75 interchange
- Both the east and westbound I-44 off-ramps to northbound US-75 are closed.
- The southbound US-75 ramps to both east and westbound I-44 are closed.
I-44, SH-66 interchange improvement
Lane closures continue on I-44, SH-66 and the I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike ramp to westbound I-44 in Catoosa for an interchange improvement project.
US-75 lane closures on 56th St. N. and 66th St. N.
North and southbound US-75 are narrowed to one lane in each direction between 56th St. N. and 66th St. N.
- The northbound US-75 on-ramp from 56th St. N. is closed.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is also urging drivers to be careful. NHTSA said 868 people died in drunk driving crashes during Thanksgiving festivities from 2019 to 2023.
Ismael Lele is a Report for America corps member and writes about business in Tulsa for The Oklahoma Eagle. Your donation to match our Report for America grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting this link.
