Weather delays some flights at McGhee Tyson Airport

By DREW GARDNER
6 News Reporter

ALCOA (WATE) - Wednesday marks the kickoff of the holiday travel season. From the roads to the skies, it's one of the busiest travel days of the year.

The holiday rush at McGhee Tyson Airport began with words no traveler wants to see: delayed.

Heavy fog in Chicago grounded a number of flights, causing a chain reaction of delays across the country.

Laure-Anne Vivet and her friend Lourdes Calvo are students at Maryville College. Both were heading to Montreal for the holiday on Wednesday. Their first stop was scheduled to be in Chicago, and they said they were unsure if they would make it.

"We don't know yet," said Vivet. "We hope it's going to be on time and we hope there's not going to be too much people."

Unfortunately that may not be the case. Neither Vivet nor Calvo call the United States home and were unaware of the hysteria that surrounds the day before Thanksgiving.

"I didn't know that," Vivet laughed.

"I thought it was Christmas," added Calvo.

This year could be busier than ever. According to AAA, holiday travel has been on the rise and it's expected to continue into this holiday season.

"We're looking at a four-year trend of increasing travel," said Don Lindsey with AAA of Tennessee. "That means that people are feeling more confident about the economy, more confident about their personal situation."

With that added confidence comes added lines, added security and added delays. So the best advice is to plan ahead and pack a little patience and a positive attitude.

"We love traveling," said Calvo. "It doesn't matter if it's busy or not, we are going to be there for sure."

Vivet added, "No matter what we will be there by the end of the day."

Ultimately, that will be up to Mother Nature.

Travelers who are concerned that their flight might be delayed or canceled airport should contact the airline, not the airport.

Those flying out of Knoxville can check their flight status on the McGhee-Tyson website.