LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Fourth of July weekend is one of the most popular vacation times of the year. According to Muhammad Ali International Airport, over 50,000 passengers will pass through this weekend. To handle the crush of travelers, the airport is expanding its security checkpoint.

What You Need To Know

  • According to the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, air travel is up by 14% compared to 2019

  • A new security "pop-up" will open next week to help with travel 
  • More than 50,000 passengers will pass through Louisville Muhammad Ail International Airport this weekend

  • The airport has plans to add security checkpoints to improve travel experience

Fifteen-year-old Preston Wrubel is headed to Europe.

“We’re flying out to London. We’re going to play in a multitude of countries and visit tons of monuments and historic places,” said Wrubel. He’ll be there for 16 days as part of Kentucky Musicians Abroad.

“I’ve never been out of the country before, so it’ll be a cool experience for me,” said Wrubel.

Wrubel is one of thousands of passengers departing Louisville this weekend. But before getting overseas, he’s facing a wait at a lengthy security lines.

“The line was stretched very far out past the gates,” said Wrubel. 

For flights departing between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m., the airport recommends passengers arrive two and a half hours early. However, the airport is looking to make things a little smoother.

According to the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, air travel is up by 14% compared to 2019. They expect to set a record for passenger traffic this summer.

“With the summer push, we’ve added a sixth pop up lane. And we already have plans underway to add an additional lane at the screening checkpoint,” said Louisville Muhammad Ail International Airport spokesperson Natalie Chaudoin. The pop up lane is expected to open in the next week. 

That’s not all the airport has planned to improve travel experience. 

“SDF Next Program, which is $400 million worth of improvements here in the terminal facility. Over the course of several years, we’re looking to expand our security checkpoint 30,000 sq ft. Currently, we have five permanent screening lanes and that expansion will take us to eight screening lanes and also give us room to grow in the future as well,” said Chaudoin. 

The new improvements mean travelers like Preston can worry less about the journey and more about the destination. 

“It’s been a year and a half in the making. So, we are very excited to play the music and see all these cool places,” said Wrubel. 

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