Spring break travel begins amid construction at John Glenn Columbus International Airport

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A couple of weeks remain until the official start of spring, but spring break travel is already underway.

Around 900,000 passengers are expected to depart from John Glenn International Airport in Columbus between March and the end of April. There are also many changes happening at the airport now that construction has started on the new terminal.

Airport officials are navigating that and the first wave of travel. “We’re going to spring break! Naples. We’re going to chill on the beach. It’s going to be a good time,” said Cassie Davis, Ohio University student. Before the sun rose on Sunday, the airport was filled with hundreds of travelers, many excited to escape to warmer weather.

“Just on the beach, nothing really crazy. Not having to wake up and do work or study or anything for once,” said Ishan Puri, Ohio University student. Ohio University and the Ohio State University’s spring break comes just a few months after airport construction began.

“Passengers have been able to see that there’s progress being made,” said Breann Gonzalez Almos with the Columbus Regional Airport Authority. Adjustments were made to make room for construction and it may require some extra planning.

“We are advising folks to come early to make sure they are at their terminal 90 minutes before flight or two hours before an international flight,” said Gonzalez Almos.

She said the airport is trying to make the transition smooth for passengers and those NBC4 spoke with say so far so good. “It was pretty easy getting here,” said Hailey Barnhill, Ohio University student.

Gonzalez Almos said travelers should always come with a parking plan but especially during peak travel seasons and construction. The terminal is going in place of the blue lot and other parking lots have expanded. “There’s definite construction going on when you drive down International Gateway and passengers have probably noticed that the roadway has shifted. So we’re asking folks to slow down,” she said.

Learn more about how the construction has affected the airport here.