The Shadow
ROANOKE, Va.(VR) — Thanksgiving brings the strongest holiday passenger numbers at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, particularly the weekend before the holiday.
The airport’s 2025 TSA screening figures show 1,728 passengers on the Friday before Thanksgiving, followed by 1,349 Saturday and 1,526 Sunday. The Sunday after Thanksgiving recorded 1,657 passengers.
Traffic dropped to 536 passengers on Thanksgiving Day. Christmas Day followed a similar pattern, with 578 passengers before screenings climbed to 1,466 on Dec. 26.
In speaking with the Virginian Review, airport officials reported no major new developments ahead of the holiday season but urged travelers to allow enough time for parking, checking bags and getting through security. Those checking bags should arrive two hours before departure.
Travelers should review parking options before leaving home because their preferred lot may be full. Lot information is available at flyroa.com/parking.
Officials also recommend downloading the airline’s mobile app to receive flight updates and track checked bags, especially as winter weather can disrupt flights.
Drivers picking up passengers should use the free Cell Phone Lot until their passenger calls or texts that they are ready. Drivers can then proceed to the terminal curb for pickup.
