Vancouver airport encounters its busiest travel day of the season

It's the peak of the holiday season atVancouverInternational Airport, where Thursday isexpected to be YVR's busiest travel day of the year.

Up to83,000 passengers are flying in and out every day during the holidays, says YVRmedia relations,but Thursday is expected to be the busiest travel day.

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The six busiest days are Dec. 21 and 22 when kids typically get out of school Boxing Day, Dec. 28 and 29, and Jan. 1, when people are coming back for work and school, said Reg Krake, YVRdirector of customer care.

Passengers should take extra time to get to the airport and check with their airlines on the status and timing of their flights, Krake said.

"Really, leave yourself an extra hour, right from home for all the normal things you expect to do, including checking in online at home ... Also, leave time to get there on the roads, for parking, for check-in, getting through security and getting to your gate," Krake said.

Winter weather may also throw a wrench in people's travel plans, with Environment Canada forecasting flurries for several days in the coming week.

On Tuesday, because of wet, heavy snow, flights were delayed throughout the day while planes underwent de-icing.

Even if weather isn't an issue in Vancouver, weather conditions in other parts of the country could affect flights.

• Major snowfall brings transit delays, power outages to Metro Vancouver

There is a bright side to arriving early to the airport though.Krake says up until Dec. 24there will beentertainment throughout the airport, including a pianist and appearances from Santa, and gift wrapping post-security.