A combination of cheap airfare and the upcoming holiday season will have airports bustling to the brim this Thanksgiving. Scheduling ahead and securing agendas is important for stress-free and organized trips. However, painless travel is ultimately left up to airline and GSE operations, which are dedicated to on time turn key destination deliveries. But, to be extra prepared this season, check out these projections and tips for the upcoming extravaganzas.
TravelandLeisure.com forecasts that 36,100,000 people will be passing through airports around the world for Thanksgiving festivities, and already, 1,720,000 spots have been booked on airlines. Additionally, BusinessWire.com projected a 2.5 percent increase, or an extra 55,000 passengers per day, in Thanksgiving travelers, ranging from 1.51 million to 2.81 million daily over the course of the holiday. To prepare for the mass of people, airlines are adding 74,000 seats each day through the use of larger planes and supplementary flights.
“‘The airline industry remains highly competitive, which directly benefits consumers as airfares continue to fall, providing even more opportunities for people to travel for Thanksgiving and throughout the year,’ said A4A Vice President and Chief Economist John Heimlich in the Business Wire article. ‘Airlines are adding capacity to accommodate the increased demand, and travelers should rest assured that while more people will be flying, there will be more than an adequate number of seats available.’”
While ample seats and bigger jets are instrumental for successful holiday travels, the GSE industry will be the powerhouse behind on-time Thanksgiving flights. ITW GSE, the leading supplier of ground power units, pre-conditioned air units and accessories for aircraft, is all about connections. Those connections are what will assure punctual arrivals. A few of ITW GSE’s products that will be in use for the upcoming holiday include Hobart 4400 Tier 4, the JetEx 8 and the Hobart 2400 GPU and Hobart 2400 Power Coil.
The engine-drive Hobart 4400 Tier 4 supplies power to all aircraft at places wherever an independent external power source is needed. It ensures correct operation the first time and it is guaranteed reliable, which is a major component for timely maintenance.
The JetEx 8, one of the newest ITW GSE Hobart product lines, provides 28 VDC power with reduced engine noise and fuel consumption. A 53 gallon fuel tank (200 L) offers at least 8 hours run time at max full load. The JetEx 8’s low profile design, combined with 5th wheel steering, provides superior visibility and maneuverability which is highly beneficial for congested ramp areas during the holidays.
Furthermore, the Hobart 2400 Power Coil is another product whose features allow for quick turn around time on the tarmac. The patented Plug and Play system offers a unique and revolutionary way of compensating for voltage drops in cables. This means that the voltage quality at the aircraft connector is simply the best, which helps airport operations stay on schedule for the busy Thanksgiving season. Happy Turkey Day!
