Central Texas airports plan for dozens of private planes to use runway for solar eclipse
WACO, Texas (KWTX) - With only 19 days until the total solar eclipse, Central Texas cities are preparing for a major influx of traffic on roadways, but regional airports are planning for an influx of traffic in the skies.
The Waco Regional Airport is preparing to welcome around 40 to 60 private planes or jets on its runway for the eclipse. Director of Aviation with Waco Regional Airport, Joel Martinez, said they are anticipating these flights to bring in around 200 to 300 people.
He said the airport is expecting American Airlines commercial flights to be about 80% full which is about 10% more full than flights usually are.
Waco Regional Airport is working with agencies and organizations to make sure the enhanced traffic flows smoothly. Martinez also mentioned that local flight schools will not be using the airports’ runways on April 8.
“We do know that the flight school that operates here, they anticipate to not operate on that day,” he said. “Any additional traffic or influx of traffic will kind of supplant that traffic. We do see that’ll be kind of like just replacement traffic, if not, less traffic.”
He added that commercial flights will not be causing disruptions during totality.
“The flight schedule is as such that the total eclipse will be during a window when there is no commercial flights,” Martinez said.
There is expected to be full staff and security working at the airport to make sure all travelers are safe and secure for the increase of traffic.
“We’re really just trying to maintain the airport in its operational and safety and security functions,” he said.
The City of Killeen is expected its population to double for before and after the eclipse. However, Killeen Regional Airport reports that an average number of flyers are expected for this period of time.
Janell Ford, Executive Director of Communications for the City of Killeen, said it is expecting a limited number of private jets to use the airport.
“They will be here either coming in the day before or the day of, and then leaving shortly after the phenomenon happens of the eclipse,” she said.
She also said there will be full staff and security at the airport just in case.
She wants to remind residents to visit the city’s website for all the information you need to know to prepare for the eclipse and to view it safely.
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