(Bloomberg) — New York City is expecting a record influx of travelers this Memorial Day weekend, crowding the area’s three major airports and creating traffic and parking problems.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey expects 6.4 million people to use its airports, bridges and tunnels between Thursday and Tuesday. Two-thirds of these will be road users, about the same number as in the same period last year, while air travelers are expected to increase by 0.2% from 2023 to 2.2 million.
“We expect record numbers of travelers,” Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said at a press conference Wednesday. “Please allow extra time, especially if he is going to JFK Airport. The airport is in the peak period of construction work for airport remodeling.”
The airline said in a statement that parking is “extremely limited” at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, and that with international seating capacity expected to increase 7% from a year ago, travelers should expect longer wait times, use public transportation or reserve parking in advance.
The Port Authority will suspend all non-emergency construction at Hudson River crossings and increase staffing at all Port Authority Trans-Hudson Transit System stations, intersections and airports.
“You can absolutely expect record levels of travel, whatever your mode of transportation,” Cotton said.
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