GREEN BAY (NBC26) — The entire country is still buzzing after pharmaceutical company Pfizer announced its COVID-19 vaccine could be more than 90 percent effective, the stock market hitting record highs Monday. This big news is already helping airlines and airports, struggling the past seven months due to a decrease in business and leisure travel.
Marty Piette, Airport Director at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport, says it's hard not to feel excited about a potential vaccine. Airlines have been keeping their eyes and ears out for this kind of news since March.
“One of the things that they’ve been watching as well is this vaccine," he said about the airlines. "And waiting for one to come out. And anticipating that return to business travel so that we can get back to the levels that we were at pre-COVID, so we're optimistic that this will certainly help.”
Many people don't want to travel right now because they're afraid of getting exposed to COVID, said Piette. But over the past few days, many people have booked flights, possibly with hopes of a vaccine reassuring them; airlines have even added flights.
“We’ve seen a lot of interesting attempts by the airlines to react to the demand," said Piette.
People still aren't really traveling for business, he said. The airport is quiet during the week, but he is seiing more leisure travelers, with busy terminals on weekends.
“I think all the warm weather destinations, that’s where people want to go," said Piette. "Typical Wisconsin mentality right, get out while it’s cold.”
With the holidays coming, airports are expecting record-low holiday traveler turnout. They are still expecting many people will still fly home this year though. Piette's advice is if you want to avoid crowded flights and airports, book your flight on Thanksgiving Day. Those flights still have plenty of room, and you'll still make it in time for turkey dinner if you depart in the morning.
