CLE Prepares Travelers for a Busy “100 Days of Summer” Travel Season

May 25, 2022

Press Releases

Anticipated summer travel passenger numbers to be the highest since 2019 

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) continues to recover from the pandemic at a percentage that is consistently above the national average for airports. To date, passenger traffic is at 90% of what it was in 2019 – which is far greater than what was forecasted for this time period at the beginning of the year. 

As one of the busiest travel season of the year, CLE is anticipating a steep increase in passengers to travel through CLE during the “100 Days of Summer,” which begins Memorial Day week and extends through Labor Day. This year, CLE is anticipating more than 2.8 million travelers to visit. In 2021, CLE welcomed 2.3 million passengers during the same timeframe. 

To ensure travelers experience is of the highest quality, here are some important travel tips

It is important for passengers to remember to plan ahead and arrive early for their flights. Airport officials encourage travelers to arrive at least 2 hours before scheduled departures to allow time for inclement weather, traffic, parking, check-in and going through the checkpoints. 

Another important travel tip to remember is to check the status of your flight by contacting the airline. Current flight status information can also be found on CLE’s website, www.clevelandairport.com as well as additional info for parking, shopping and dining, and other services and amenities available at CLE. 

TSA travel tips 

Always have a government-issued ID ready to present at the airline ticket counter and security checkpoint. CLE’s Checkpoint Wait Times feature allows travelers to select the shortest security line or view the expected wait time at the closest checkpoint line. This amenity is also available on the CLE homepage

Be prepared for the screening process: 

  • Look through luggage to ensure no prohibited items are in the bag prior to coming to the airport. 
  • All three CLE checkpoints have Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) machines for passenger screening. Be prepared for metal detectors and x-ray machines for carry-on items. 
  • Remember the TSA 3-1-1 rule for carry-on items – Three ounces (3 oz.) per container, in a clear one-quart bag, one per passenger. 
  • Knives, scissors with pointed tips, pepper spray and other such items are prohibited as carry-on items. For a comprehensive list of banned and permitted items, visit the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) website at www.tsa.gov
  • Carry-on luggage is restricted to one bag and one personal item per person. A personal item includes a purse, briefcase or laptop bag. 
  • Outer coats, jackets and other such garments must be removed and put through x-ray screening. 
  • Children under the age of 12 years old do not require an ID and will not have to remove their shoes before going through security. 

TSA Pre✓™ is available at CLE and allows select frequent flyers of participating airlines and members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs who are flying on participating airlines, to receive expedited screening benefits. 

For more information on TSA Pre✓™ visit https://www.tsa.gov/precheck

CLEAR, the secure identity company using biometrics to build a frictionless and secure world, is also available for travelers at CLE. CLEAR is changing the way consumers experience the world by transforming the cards in their wallets into a single biometric ID. After a fast, one-time enrollment, members can begin using CLEAR immediately. CLEAR is certified as Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

CLEAR and TSA’s PreCheck program are complementary.