KATV Channel 7 - The Spirit of Arkansas: July 4th Travel Numbers Released

The upcoming July 4th travel period will be a busy one for Little Rock National Airport.

The airlines serving Little Rock National have reported that they will handle 36,705 passengers during the six day period beginning Thursday, June 30, and running through Tuesday, July 5, compared to 39,209 passengers coming through the airport during the 2010 July 4th holiday.

Passengers are urged to arrive early to ensure a smooth travel experience.

New this year for the holiday...

Little Rock National Airport (LIT) recently announced the opening of a new "Cell Phone Lot" to provide free immediate-term parking for those picking up travelers. The lot, located on the northwest corner of the Aerospace Education Center parking lot on Roosevelt Road, will have 40 spaces.

The Little Rock National Airport Commission approved the lot at their April meeting and, since then, LIT has spent $21,000 refurbishing the area. Four directional signs beginning at Airport Drive and Roosevelt Road will lead customers to the lot.

The Cell Phone Lot will be patrolled daily by both police and airport staff to ensure safety and parking compliance.

For that quick pick up at the airport, customers may also use the metered parking directly in front of the terminal. For those planning on a longer out-of-town stay, out-of-the-weather deck parking is available as well as convenient valet parking.

As always...

TSA reminds passengers to remember the 3-1-1 rule for carrying liquids, gels and aerosols through the checkpoint:

- 3 ounce bottles or less for all liquids, gels and aerosols placed in
- 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag
- 1 bag per passenger placed separately in a security bin for X-ray screening.

Allowing only one quart plastic bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring through the checkpoint.

The liquid restriction applies only to carry-on bags. Passengers can still pack larger quantities of liquids and gels in your checked baggage. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website has information to assist passengers in ensuring they have a problem free transit through security. The website can be accessed at www.tsa.gov.

When to arrive

It is recommended that those traveling arrive at least two hours before flight time and be reminded there are carryon limitations. One bag plus a personal item such as a laptop, purse, backpack or briefcase is allowed.

Plan ahead

Any travelers looking to plan ahead may check out the website at www.fly-lit.com for information on flight arrivals and departures as well as other valuable information.