March Break travel a boon for airports, retailers

Travel-related businesses are geared up for the March Break exodus expected to take place at airports, bus depots and train stations across the country over the next 24 hours.

Toronto Pearson International Airport is forecasting about 101,000 guests to travel through its terminals today (Thursday) and about 107,000 on Friday – its two busiest days of the March Break season.

That compares to a typical travel day at the country’s largest and busiest airport of about 95,000 guests. Friday's forecast is fewer than the roughly 105,000 guests the airport saw during its busiest day during the 2012 Christmas holiday period.

Airport staff and businesses are prepared to welcome the spike in travellers, and have lined up activities for kids and their families, including a roaming caricaturist and colouring walls to help ease the burden of extra baggage and long lineups.

“We know our guests will be delighted by the entertainment and surprises we have planned for them and that it will help start their vacation on the right note,” said Pamela Griffith-Jones, vice president of guest and terminal services for the Greater Toronto Airport Authority.

People travelling through Pearson today and tomorrow will also be greeted at the airport’s doors by volunteers participating in the airport’s Ambassador Program.

WestJet Airlines Ltd. spokesperson Robert Palmer said March Break is one of the busier periods of the year, but not as busy as Christmas. That’s because March Break tends to stretch out over a longer period depending on when schools across the country have scheduled their time off.

At the Vancouver International Airport, March Break isn’t typically one of the busiest times of the year as compared to summer or over the Christmas holiday period, said a spokesperson.

The airport said it expects “fairly standard traffic” over the two weeks leading into Easter.