Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) expects to see continued passenger growth during the upcoming summer travel season after it was ranked as one of the air terminals hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the airport has already set a high point for pandemic-era travel, with more than 30,000 passengers processed through SFO's security checkpoints on May 14, 2021.
During the summer travel season, SFO expects to serve 35,000 passengers per day at security checkpoints and more than 38,000 daily during peak periods, San Francisco International Airport said in a statement.
While those levels are more than 50 percent below what the airport was accustomed to before the pandemic, SFO is experiencing the longest sustained period of passenger growth.
"We are excited to welcome more passengers to SFO for the summer travel season," said Airport Director Ivar C. Satero. "With new facilities, amenities and testing clinics, we are offering an airport experience that is safe, healthy and enjoyable."
It should be noted that the SFO still requires all users to wear face masks for air travel.
In that regard, he noted that a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) mandate remains in effect that requires all air, rail and bus travelers over the age of 2 to wear a mask at all times.
In addition, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also requires all travelers to wear face masks on airplanes and in airports.
There are currently three on-site COVID-19 testing services available to travelers
- Dignity Health-GoHealth Urgent Care, located on the departure level of the International Terminal.
- XpressCheck, located on the arrivals level of Terminal 3.
- Worksite Labs, a vehicle test site located next to the long-term parking lot
On the other hand, the SFO detailed that the next phase of Harvey Milk Terminal 1 will open next May 25.
The new Terminal 1 "Harvey Milk" section includes seven new departure gates, a new post-security connector to the International Terminal, a new museum gallery and a new exhibit content display honoring the life and legacy of activist and politician Harvey Milk.
In turn, the outdoor observation deck "SkyTerrace" will reopen for Memorial Day weekend for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
SkyTerrace will be open to the general public from Friday, May 28 to Monday, May 31, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. No ticket or boarding pass is required to access the area, but visitors will be subject to a security check upon entering the space.
Visitors may bring food and beverages into the area, but smoking is not permitted at any time.
