ABQ International Sunport prepares for Balloon Fiesta travel surge
TSA at Albuquerque’s International Sunport is implementing additional lanes, officers and resources to manage an up to 50% increase in travelers during the Balloon Fiesta.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
The Albuquerque International Sunport is preparing for a surge in travelers during Balloon Fiesta, with TSA implementing changes to manage the influx.
TSA says the airport typically sees 6,000 to 7,000 passengers on an average weekday, but the Balloon Fiesta period is expected to bring numbers up to 14,000, depending on the day.
“Our top ten days of all time are in the Balloon Fiesta period. This is our peak season, not Thanksgiving, not Christmas,” said Richard Rzucidlo, federal security director at Albuquerque International Sunport.
TSA is preparing for the influx of departures, with projections closely aligned with previous years.
“I’ve looked at the projections three years back. The projections are almost completely in line with last year,” Rzucidlo said.
To accommodate the increased traffic, TSA plans to expand its operations.
“We typically run between 4 and 6 lanes,” Rzucidlo said. “During the 10-12-day time period, we’re going to have to run up to eight lanes.”
Additional lanes will require more personnel, and TSA is bringing in reinforcements from across the country.
“We’re adding hours to our existing officers here in Albuquerque. We’re also bringing in people from out of state,” Rzucidlo said. “Resources are being deployed from all over the country to assist Albuquerque.”
Travelers can help keep operations running smoothly by adhering to carry-on luggage rules.
“Everyone knows the 3-1-1 rule, right? 3.4-ounce liquids, gels and aerosols in a one-quart-sized bag. It’s one bag per passenger,” Rzucidlo said.
The Balloon Fiesta attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world, including both returning attendees and first-timers.
Lillie Burke, who was born in Albuquerque, returns annually for the event.
“I try to come back every year. I think it’s like one of the most magical events ever,” Burke said.
Lillie brought her boyfriend, Kaanu Patel, last year. He says it was “one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.” He was thrilled to get the offer to return for the second year in a row.
“I was so excited. I was like, ‘Yes, book the tickets. I’m sending the Zelle right now,'” said Patel.
For Tony Martinez and his wife, the fiesta marks a bucket-list experience.
“First time to Balloon [Fiesta]! It’s been on our bucket list for a while,” Martinez said.
The couple traveled from Fresno, California, where a smaller balloon festival happens. They said seeing this bigger version has always been a goal.
TSA is reminding travelers to still arrive two hours before departure to minimize wait times.
“We’re going to try to keep the wait times under 30 minutes, and for the most part, I think it’ll be successful,” Rzucidlo said. “But there will be times [when] we might exceed that by a few minutes or so.”
For those without a REAL ID or passport, TSA offers an alternative.
“You can pay $45 to get confirmed through the TSA ID system,” Rzucidlo said.
TSA says the busiest times are projected to be between October 4th and 12th, especially from 5 – 9 a.m. Operations are expected to remain busy through October 14th.
