BTR ranked among best airports for on-time Thanksgiving travel
The Baton Rouge Metro Airport (BTR) was among the airports with the best Thanksgiving travel on-time records according to a new study, checking in at number 7 for lowest percentage of Thanksgiving travel delays. Conducted by the travel research site, wanderbat.com, the study determined the best airports to fly into during Thanksgiving based on on-time arrivals.
Data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) between 2010 and 2015 was used to determine airports with the fewest delayed arrivals. The list was sorted by the percent of flights during the heaviest two-day travel period that had an arrival delay of 15 minutes or more. Airports needed at least 200 flights on the day before and day of Thanksgiving over the six-year span to have enough flight frequencies to make the list. The rankings list the 72 airports that were better than the national average (13.43%) on percent of arriving flights delayed.
The top 5 airports with the lowest percentage of delays over Thanksgiving were in Hawaii with Hilo, HI at number 1. With only 9.58% of its flights delayed, the Baton Rouge Metro Airport was the 7th best based on percent of arriving flights delayed the least. Milder-weather airports throughout the Southwest and Southern California performed well whereas no airport on the East Coast ranks among the top 25.
NOVEMBER 2016, In This Issue
Follow Us
Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter 
Baton Rouge Metro Airport passenger count up in September & October
Enplanements (departing passengers) at the Baton Rouge Metro Airport were up back-to-back months in September and October at 6.98% and 4.43% respectively. Deplanements (arriving passengers) were up 4.03% in September and 12.29% in October.
Interim Airport Director, Ralph Hennessy, said "We are pleased with the community support that resulted in significant increases in passenger volume in September and October. The flood and subsequent flight cancellations due to the curfew adversely impacted our August passenger count, but we have recovered nicely."
The cancellation rate for all BTR commercial flight departures was only 1.6% through July, but the August percentage reached 8.5% due to the flood and curfew-related cancellations.
Hennessy attributed the September and October gains to increased airline seating capacity at BTR, including United's upgrades to larger, dual-class Embraer 170/75 jets for some flights. "The BTR load factors have been high; we just needed additional seats. With seating capacity up slightly in September and October, we saw the expected passenger jump. Our current flight schedules for November and December also include a slight increase in seating capacity, which we hope will result in year-over-year passenger growth. And American has currently scheduled two aircraft upgauges in February to larger Bombardier CRJ 700 jets with first and coach class seating."
Delta Air Lines has the top BTR market share year-to-date at 40%, followed by American at 35% and United at 25%.  
Holiday Travel Tips

Know before you go
  • Remember, it's 3-1-1 for liquids: Liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes must be 3.4 ounces or less and all bottles must fit in one quart size plastic bag and placed in a bin for screening. This includes sun block and tanning sprays. One quart-size bags is permitted per person.
  • Check for prohibited items: Use the "Can I bring my..."feature on TSA's website to check what items are allowed/ not allowed in carry-on and checked luggage. Smartphone users can easily download the free "MyTSA" app for that feature and to find additional helpful information about TSA policies and procedures.
  • Prepare for security: Have an acceptable ID and boarding pass out and remove large electronics including laptops and the 3-1-1 compliant liquids bag, from carry-on baggage.
  • Gifts: While wrapped gifts are allowed, security officers may need to unwrap a gift to resolve an alarm. TSA recommends passengers wrap gifts after their flight or ship them ahead of time to avoid the possibility of having to open them during the screening process. 
  • Food: Food items such as pies and cakes are permitted, but may require further inspection.  If travelers are not sure if a food item is considered a liquid or gel, it is best to pack the item in checked baggage or ship it to a destination in advance.
  • Children 12 and under and adults 75 and older: TSA has modified the screening procedures for  children 12 and under and adults 75 and older.
  • TSA Pre® is an expedited screening program that allows travelers to leave on their shoes, light outerwear and belt, keep their laptop in its case and their 3-1-1 complaint liquids/gels bag in a carry-on, in select screening lanes. Those eligible for TSA Pre® can participate at more than 180 airports, including Richmond, when traveling on a participating airline. If you are interested in enrolling in TSA Pre®, visit www.tsa.gov
  • TSA Cares: Travelers or families of passengers with disabilities and medical conditions may call the TSA Cares helpline toll free at 1-855-787-2227 with any questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint 72 hours prior to traveling. Injured service members and veterans including individuals associated with a wounded warrior program may contact TSA Cares to help facilitate the screening process.
Small tips that can make a big difference
  • Thirsty flyers - bottled water: You can't bring a bottle of water through the checkpoint, but you can bring an empty bottle through the checkpoint and then fill it up once you're through security.
  • Footwear: You'll need to remove your shoes at the checkpoint, so wear footwear that is easy to slip on and off. 
  • Hold onto your hat - lost & found: People leave items in the checkpoint bins all the time. If you think you may have lost items at a RIC checkpoint, call 804-226-8585.
  • Stay connected: If you are traveling with a laptop or other large electronic items, tape a business card or other identification on it so that if you leave it at a checkpoint, TSA can contact you to make sure you get it back.

CHECK OUT BTR'S NEW FARES
  
$268
Atlanta, GA
Delta
$196
Miami, FL
United
$174
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
United
$227
Tampa, FL
American
$311
Philadelphia, PA
American
$313
Nashville, TN
American
$250
Orlando. FL
American
$237
Dallas, TX
American
$313
Los Angeles, CA
American
$347
Seattle, WA
American
$303
Las Vegas, NV
American
$260
Chicago
American