Lincoln Airport expects increase in Thanksgiving travelers; gas prices down for drivers

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Travelers are in a rush to see family and friends for Thanksgiving, leading to busy airports and roads across the country.

The Federal Aviation Administration expects 31 million people to fly over the next few days.

“They are expecting it to be the busiest Thanksgiving, actually beating last year’s record, which was also very high,” said Rachel Barth with the Lincoln Airport.

She said Tuesday and Wednesday will be the busiest days at the airport during the holiday week.

Barth said United Airlines added more Lincoln flights this year. And the planes can carry more passengers.

“We added an additional flight to Chicago and an additional flight to Denver, so right now we’re seeing eight flights a day going out and then eight flights a day coming in,” she said.

Many of the Chicago flights have larger jets that carry about 75 passengers, whereas last year, the plane flew about 50.

Jaime Pedraza, who was flying from Phoenix on Tuesday morning, said he likes the convenience of the Lincoln Airport.

“It’s much more calm, faster,” he said. “Cooler, too. You can feel the breeze when you come in and it’s like, ‘I’m back at home.'”

Officials at Eppley Airfield in Omaha are expecting about 185,800 travelers during the next week, which is about 2.7% more than last year.

And for drivers, Patrick De Haan with GasBuddy said this year’s Thanksgiving will be the cheapest since 2020.

He said Omaha has lower prices than Lincoln, averaging about $2.55 per gallon, while Lincoln’s average is $2.79.

“Both Omaha and Lincoln are seeing prices that are slowly continuing to decrease here,” De Haan said. “There have been some changes, some fluctuations with the price of oil, so that could change in the days ahead.”

He said travelers headed west to Wyoming, where the average is about $2.99 a gallon, will pay more.

Prices are also higher in Iowa and South Dakota but about the same in Kansas.

De Haan is encouraging drivers to enjoy the low prices while they last.

“This is the best time to hit the road with the lowest prices and the best economic outlook we’ve seen in a couple years,” he said. “Do enjoy these low prices because what goes down will eventually go back up next Spring.”