DFW Airport is bracing for one of the busiest holiday periods on record as the Fourth of July travel rush converges with FIFA World Cup fans arriving in North Texas. Approximately 1.75 million passengers are expected to travel to, through, or from the airport between Thursday, July 2 and Tuesday, July 7.

World Cup Traffic

The surge in travelers is partly due to the FIFA World Cup match on Friday at Dallas Stadium, where Australia will face Egypt, bringing an additional wave of international visitors into the region. Many of these World Cup visitors have already traveled thousands of miles to follow their teams across the United States.

Australian fan Harry Gelder described the lengthy journey his group took to reach California for a previous match before heading to Texas. Airport officials say roadways, terminal curbs, and parking facilities are expected to remain busy throughout the holiday weekend, particularly during late morning and early evening hours.

Travelers are encouraged to arrive early, check parking availability ahead of time, and monitor security wait times before heading to the airport. Some restaurants at DFW Airport are equipped with TVs broadcasting the World Cup games, allowing passengers to keep up with the tournament while waiting for their flights.

Travel Preparations

According to AAA, 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the holiday period, surpassing last year’s record. In Texas, approximately 4.9 million people are expected to drive, while about 564,000 travelers will fly. Despite gas prices remaining higher than they were a year ago, AAA says driving continues to be the preferred option for most holiday travelers.

DFW Airport recommends arriving at least two hours before domestic departures and three hours before international flights to allow extra time for traffic, parking, and security screening.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.