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With Travel Restrictions Lifted, Travelers, Workers Are Ready With Travel Restrictions Lifted, Both Travelers And Workers Are Ready

By Joey Semel

JOEY SEMEL: That organ is the first sound you hear when you walk into Syracuse Hancock International Airport. Not as many people as usual have been hearing that sound due to the restrictions.Airport employee Marge Mackay has been working at the airport since before the pandemic. She says that the number of travelers has been way down during COVID.

MARGE MACKAY: Oh, it was probably down 75-80%. At least.

SEMEL: Data from the United States Department of Transportation says that the top 25 markets for international travel all experienced a dip. David Andoh is from Montreal, and does business both here in America and in Canada. He says he hasn’t been home in over a year, and having the normal, easier passage between the countries is a relief.

DAVID ANDOH: Just out of fear of not being able to go to my meetings when I cross the border, having to quarantine. All those things that really played a part in me staying here in the US, and stay put at home, and continue to use zoom for all of my meetings and business relations.

SEMEL: The fact that people like Andoh can travel home again is not only good for the airport, but also good for its employees. Mackay says she liked when the airport was busy, and the more seat-backs and tray tables stowed in their full, upright position, the better.

MACKAY: No, I like it when it’s really busy and there’s a lot of people around. It’s picking up.

SEMEL: Mackay says that the addition of a new airline, plus the removal of the ban has the airport gearing up for a busy holiday season. That means more ears for the beautiful organ. In Syracuse, Joey Semel. N-C-C News.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — November will mark a full year since David Andoh last traveled home to see his family. It’s been even longer since his family was able to travel here to see him.

That is in large part due to the travel restrictions on foreign travelers coming to America that has been in place for nearly two years. Now, vaccinated travelers from Mexico, Canada, and most of Europe are allowed to travel to into the country.

For Andoh, it means good things in the business world as well. He works both in the United States, as well as doing work in other countries. He said it has forced his hand during the pandemic, forcing him to make tough decisions on when to travel and when not to.

“Just out of fear of not being able to go to my meetings when I cross the border, having to quarantine,” Andoh said. “All those things that really played a part in me staying here in the US, and stay put at home, and continue to use zoom for all of my meetings and business relations.”

Andoh’s business isn’t the only one looking for a boost. Airport employee Marge Mackay said the traffic at the airport has been way down during the pandemic.

“Oh, it was probably down 75-80%, at least,” Mackay said.

Mackay is a volunteer worker at the airport. She does it just to give herself something to do. She said that she likes it when the foot traffic at the airport is high.

“No, I like it when it’s really busy and there’s a lot of people around,” Mackay said. “It’s picking up.”

International travelers landing at the Syracuse airport, and across the U.S., will still need to show proof of vaccination in order to get into the country.

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