CHICAGO (CBS) – O'Hare and Midway airports are anticipating an influx of passengers on Easter.
Airport officials say they are prepared for the travel rush that comes with the end of spring break.
2.9 million passengers were expected to travel between March 21 and April 1. The busiest day so far on this stretch was Thursday 28 March.
Officials say it's a historically busy travel period that includes Holy Week, Easter and spring break celebrations for Chicago Public Schools.
Numbers show more Chicagoans are traveling for spring break this year, with O'Hare expecting 7% more passengers than last year and 2.4% at Midway, according to airline statistics.
Passengers, including a couple who landed from Maui, shared their experience returning to Chicago.
“It wasn't really bad,” Mel Modica said. “The lines were fast, everything was great, and the flights were easy. Yeah, I can't complain.”
Another family tried to beat the rush and arrived in Chicago overnight from Michigan and headed to Naples, Florida.
“We thought we were beating the rush to get the shuttle this morning at our hotel, but there was a group of 21 people, and the bus only held about 20 people, so we had to get an Uber, super fast.” Michael Carlson said.
Travelers are advised to give themselves extra time.
Both airports will host Mass inside the airport chapels to accommodate any passengers traveling on Easter.
“Beer aficionado. Gamer. Alcohol fanatic. Evil food trailblazer. Avid bacon maven.”