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MIA Officials Expect Busy Labor Day Travel Weekend

Officials at Miami International Airport say travel is up by 10% compared to pre-pandemic Labor Day travel

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Many people are taking advantage of the last days of summer by going on a trip during the long holiday weekend. 

Officials at Miami International Airport say travel is up by 10% compared to pre-pandemic Labor Day travel, which means hundreds of thousands of people coming through Miami’s airport. 

On Friday, there were lots of long lines at MIA.

“As you can see, just even right here, there’s a line. Lines everywhere, and it does get annoying after a while, I’m not going to lie,” said traveler Christian Telemaque.

At MIA airport officials say more than 800,00 people are expected through the holiday weekend. MIA tells NBC 6 that’s a 10% increase from pre-pandemic Labor Day travel.

On Saturday more than 88% of arrivals and 85% of departures were on time. A big improvement from last month when a quarter of all flights nationwide were delayed. 

Even though it’s a small percentage some travelers are dealing with delays this weekend. Lashawn Morgan and her two daughters are trying to get home to Baltimore after their cruise.  

"Trying to get home. Just got off the cruise we are ready to get home,” said Morgan.

"So we’ve been at the airport since one and they have delayed the flight three times, now I think we’re not leaving until 7:36."

This week, the government rolled out a new tool meant to help fliers better navigate cancellations and delays. 

The new airline customer service dashboard at DOT.GOV details what each airline will and won’t do for customers; everything from rebooking fees to meal and hotel vouchers when a flight is delayed or canceled. 

The Department of Transportation is rolling out a new website that may help if travelers run into flight delays or cancelations. NBC 6's Alina Machado reports

“We had to get a room at the airport hotel — that’s been a setback as well as an added expense,” said Telemaque. 

But it's nothing compared to last month when nearly a quarter of all flights nationwide was delayed.

“So far it’s been smooth,” said Aldo Aguila, who is traveling to Cancun for the weekend. 

The return of valet at MIA is helping some travelers avoid crowded parking ramps. Others are avoiding the airport altogether and hitting the road. 

Nationwide, NBC News found most Americans will travel by car this weekend. Even with gas prices 20% higher than a year ago, it’s still cheaper to drive. 

If you are planning to fly, it is best to get dropped off because parking continues to be an issue at airports this weekend.  

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