Winnipeg airport shares tips for holiday travel

With a week to go until Christmas, the Winnipeg Airport Authority (WAA) is giving tips to travellers to make their flights and experience less stressful.

Tyler MacAfee, vice president of external affairs for the WAA, said this week is one of the busiest times of the year for the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport, and passengers can expect longer lines.

“The big thing is to give yourself lots of time,” he said. “What we see often with people is the stress and anxiety goes up as they run out of time going through the airport.”

MacAfee recommends people arrive 90 minutes before their scheduled departure time and to have a plan on what to do when you arrive, including going through security.

Travellers are also being reminded that they cannot travel with wrapped gifts, and they need to be unwrapped when going through airport security.

“We have a gift-wrapping station here at the airport so you don't have to wrap your gift,” MacAfee said. “You can get it through security. You've got lots of time on the other side, and you can go through.”

The airport has also partnered with St. John’s Ambulance to have dog teams at the airport to help people with flight anxiety, who visit approximately 30 times per month.

-with files from CTV’s Ainsley MacPhail.