Mindy Kershner / CVG Airport / May 24, 2021

Increased travel, more airline choices

With the increase in COVID-19 vaccinations, many leisure travelers are taking those trips they planned in 2020 or visiting friends and relatives they have not seen in some time.

So far this year, CVG is serving about 55% of the passenger volumes we did in 2019. We expect the summer months to be at 70-80%. And with airfares at a 25-year low, and new routes and air carriers like Sun Country Airlines and Alaska Airlines beginning service, this number could increase.

This is good news for CVG and the entire travel industry as more and more people feel confident to travel again.

Travelers should do some research prior to their trips. CNN travel has a good state-by-state breakdown of regulations including quarantine recommendations, COVID testing and more.

CVG celebrates the inauguration of two new airline carriers to CVG Airport, increasing both carrier and schedule options for travelers.

Left or Top: Sun Country Airlines inaugural ribbon cutting with Sunny the Bear, May 14, 2021 / Right or Bottom: Alaska Airlines inaugural ribbon cutting, May 20, 2021

Masks required

When it comes to masks, they are still required in airports and on aircraft for now. The Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) recently announced that people who are fully vaccinated no longer have to wear masks or socially distance. However, the CDC, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the U.S. Department of Transportation are requiring the traveling public to still wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation.

This means all employees and passengers at CVG, and airports across the U.S., must wear masks while traveling through the airport and when flying on an airplane. This mandate was first implemented in January and was extended on May 12th through at least September 13th.

Travel Tips

And if you’re curious what airlines are flying where from CVG, you can visit the nonstop destinations webpage, follow the airport on social media (Twitter or Facebook) or sign up for Flight Lines, CVG’s monthly newsletter that provides updates on air service, tips for parking and more.

A few other insider tips as you make your way to the airport:

• Ticketing and security lines may be longer than anticipated. And with local traffic issues such as work taking place on the Brent Spence Bridge, allow yourself plenty of time and arrive to the airport two hours before your scheduled departure. Your flight departure time is often when an aircraft pushes back from the gate, so pay attention to what time boarding begins and closes.
• We currently have two parking options at the airport: the CVG Terminal Garage and the CVG Economy Lot. You can view details here.

It may have been a while since you traveled, but we’re here to help and there are plenty of other resources out there to plan ahead. So go ahead, call up your favorite travel companion and get back to the skies.