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Transportation

Airports Increase Security As Houstonians Head Out For The Holidays

Thousands of Houstonians will be flying out of town this week for the Thanksgiving holiday. As they do, heightened security measures may mean some delays at airports.

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  • 250,000 people are expected to travel through Bush Intercontinental Airport the weekend after Thanksgiving.
    250,000 people are expected to travel through Bush Intercontinental Airport the weekend after Thanksgiving.
  • 250,000 people are expected to travel through Bush Intercontinental Airport the weekend after Thanksgiving.
    250,000 people are expected to travel through Bush Intercontinental Airport the weekend after Thanksgiving.
  • Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, holds a news conference after assessing security measures at Bush Intercontinental Airport a day before Thanksgiving.
    Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, holds a news conference after assessing security measures at Bush Intercontinental Airport a day before Thanksgiving.

Between Nov. 20 and Dec. 1, 1.7 million people are expected to travel through Bush and Hobby airports – 325,000 just this Saturday and Sunday.

Amidst the busiest travel period of the year, the State Department this week issued a worldwide travel warning in response to recent attacks and continued threats by organizations such as ISIS.

Although President Barack Obama said there is no credible threat to the United States, security at American airports is beefed up.

Houstonians leaving for Thanksgiving from Bush Intercontinental Airport Wednesday were not too concerned.

"No, I'm not concerned at all," Dave Walker, who was flying to Fort Lauderdale, said. "I just think that we've got enough protective things in place and we're going to be alright."

Houston Airport System director Mario Diaz said passengers are not necessarily seeing any additional security measures.

"Behind the scenes there are measures that are being taken that I'm really not at liberty to discuss but that should assure them peace of mind," he said.

Stephanie Buchanan with United Airlines said wait times may be a little bit longer but that no passengers have missed their flights.

 

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