Travel picks up at Indy airport

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — There were scattered flight delays Sunday, which Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials said was one of the busiest days for travel since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

An estimated 38,000 people were in town for the Bands of America competition.

David Eyler attended a percussionists convention happening at the same time.

“We had groups come in from South Carolina, from Texas, all around the country,” said Eyler.

He was preparing to board a flight to Minneapolis, where he will connect to Fargo, North Dakota.

“Just getting through security wasn’t as bad as I thought. I’ve heard maybe some people have had problems and maybe some airports have had long lines,” he said.

The TSA says that although business travel isn’t where it was before the pandemic, airports are starting to get busy.

“We’re seeing a much larger number of leisure travelers — people who have not traveled much in the last year and a half. Those are people who are not as familiar with those checkpoint etiquette procedures,” said TSA Spokesperson Jessica Mayle.

Mayle encourages travelers to review a list of TSA-approved items that you can bring through security before you get to the airport.

Some airlines are short-staffed, and that combined with potential severe weather could ground some people’s travel plans.

Ethan Anderson got to Indianapolis International Airport extra early for his flight to Virginia only to discover his plane to Washington, D.C., was delayed.

“My layover from D.C. to Norfolk is a little close — I’m going to be cutting it a little close,” said Anderson.

The TSA says passenger volume should get to about 95% of where it was before the pandemic.