College Football Fans, Returning Holiday Travelers Fill Sky Harbor

Travelers will see thousands of college football fans in Sky Harbors terminals as the Valley hosts two more college bowl games. Fans are returning home from last nights Insight Bowl today. The Fiesta Bowl is next on Jan. 1, followed by the BCS (Bowl Championship Series) on Jan. 10. As Phoenix waves goodbye to fans from Missouri and Iowa, and welcomes visitors from Connecticut, Oklahoma, Alabama and Oregon, Sky Harbor Airport will definitely be busier than usual, with an increased number of passengers between now and Jan. 3. There will be another surge of passenger traffic on Jan. 11 as BCS fans depart Phoenix. On an average day, Sky Harbor sees 90,000 to 100,000 passengers. On a busy day such as Jan. 11, the airport could see up to 150,000 passengers. Fans departing after the games are encouraged to carry their programs onto the airplane rather than placing them in checked luggage. Because the shape, size and materials used in the programs, theyre not easily identified in the checked baggage screening process and may cause luggage to be hand-searched. Travelers returning rental cars should arrive at the Rental Car Center two to three hours before their flights depart. Even though the airport will be busier than usual, Sky Harbor will be staffed up and ready. The shops are also prepared with special bowl game merchandise. The airport is often the first place fans can buy a shirt featuring the final score of the game. Licensed screen printers are on standby during the Bowl games to print custom shirts as soon as the final scores are determined. Airport retailers pick up the shirts and deliver them to the airport so that fans can purchase their souvenir apparel before flying home. For travel tips and additional information, visit skyharbor.com.