Airports now realize that they cannot sit back and simply rely on the airlines to drive passengers their way through the offer of cheap airplane tickets and cheap vacation packages. Often there are competing airports in major metropolitan areas. Also many would be fliers are weighing the advantages of driving and not having to deal with the hassles of full body scanners and enhanced pat down procedures.
To attract travelers to their airports many airports have donned festive decorations, are offering dining and retail discounts as well as giveaways, contests, and entertainment.
The following are a few examples of what airports are doing:
Many airports, including Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, and Sacramento are hosting holiday carolers, choirs and crooners. The Nashville International Airport is supporting a half dozen holiday themed performances.
To offset the Transportation Security Administrations warnings about trying to take wrapped gifts through security checkpoints, several airports including Philadelphia, Phoenix, and San Francisco, are offering free post security gift wrapping stations.
The Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport is passing out free coupon books containing almost 80 discounts and/or gift with purchase offers for dining and retail outlets throughout the airport. The Las Vegas International airport is also distributing a discount holiday coupon book this holiday season.
The holiday spirit is also celebrated extensively overseas. The Frankfurt Airport is continuing its tradition of hosting a holiday sweepstakes for a car. At the Munich Airport nightly holiday entertainment is provided, along with free ice skating and curling rinks, and 300 Christmas trees.
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