Phoenix Sky Harbor had its busiest 1st quarter ever. Here's what to expect for Memorial Day

By Kirsten Dorman
Published: Thursday, May 25, 2023 - 4:05am
Updated: Thursday, May 25, 2023 - 7:49am

Different lanes of traffic to exit and go to different areas of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport are shown here. It is daytime in this photo.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is coming off of its busiest first quarter ever ahead of Memorial Day weekend 2023.

The Memorial Day weekend is expected to bring big crowds through Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport — which is coming off of its busiest first quarter ever.

The airport saw over 12 million passengers in March alone, a roughly 16% jump from 2022. Compared to pre-pandemic numbers in 2019, that’s an increase of roughly half a million.

Spokesperson Eric Everts says travelers planning ahead and arriving early are key.

“With how things have been going and all the records that we’ve been setting this year, I can only expect more of the same,” Everts said. “But we’re definitely trying to communicate with people and let them know we do have a number of new things that have come, maybe since last year at this time.”

That includes more stops for the Sky Train and the PHX RESERVE program, which allows travelers to reserve a spot in line at an assigned security checkpoint online. Evers also recommended reserving a parking space online.

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