CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Holiday travel and last minute COVID-19 testing is already experiencing an uptick at Gerald R. Ford International Airport this week.
Ford Airport is one of the only airports to offer COVID-19 testing on site for travelers on non-travelers.
"We were one of the first airports in the country to offer a testing site on airport," said Alex Peric, Chief Operating Officer at Gerald R Ford International Airport. "It was important for us to provide that service, not only for the travelers going to possible destinations that require a negative test upon entry, but also for the community. That test site is open for community members, people that are not flying, and also the flying public."
Typically, Ford airport experiences about 7,000 travelers a day, but this year they've seen an average of 2,500.
During Christmas week Peric expects to see a slight influx to that average number with holiday travelers.
"Pre pandemic we were at about 7,000 passengers coming through the doors. Right now, we're about half of that so around 3,500 passengers. We'll expect between 3,000 and 4,000 passengers coming through the doors during the Christmas holiday season," said Peric.
The Ford COVID-19 Testing site is also seeing an influx of testers, travelers and non-travelers included.
On Monday the testing site experienced their busiest day with more than 200 cars coming through.
"We'll be experiencing an uptick in passengers coming through our airport, as well as our new COVID testing site located in the economy lot," said Peric. "So please give yourselves plenty of time to come to the airport, get yourself checked in, get yourself tested at the COVID-19 test site at the economy lot and go through TSA checkpoint. Once through this TSA checkpoint. There's plenty of offerings and food and beverage, and restaurants prior to boarding your flight."
The COVID-19 testing site is in the Ford economy lot and is open from 4a.m. to 8p.m.
The easiest way to get through the test site is to scan the QR code upon entry, fill out your paperwork before it's your turn.
For more information, click here.
