OAK Prepares for Christmas/New Year’s Travelers

-- Guaranteed On-Airport Parking; Passengers Encouraged to "SimpliFLY"--

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Oakland International Airport (OAK) is preparing for another busy Christmas and New Year's travel period. Plenty of on-airport parking is expected to be available throughout the holiday travel period. Passengers are encouraged to visit the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) website to learn how to "simpliFLY," which is packing simply to fly through security, their travel experience.

An estimated 500,000 passengers will travel through OAK over the 14-day travel period that begins Thursday, December 20, about the same number of travelers over the same holiday period in 2006. About 46,000 daily passengers are expected on the peak travel days of December 20 through 27. Based upon November 2007 statistics, OAK normally serves approximately 39,000 travelers per day.

GUARANTEED ON-AIRPORT PARKING
Parking is expected to be available throughout the holiday period. With OAK's Parking Upgrade Program, whenever the Economy lot fills, customers will receive a voucher at the Economy lot entrance, then they will be directed to park in the more convenient ValuPark lot where the lower Economy rate will be honored (must present voucher to cashier upon exit). Travelers should look for roadway signs or tune to 1700AM for more information.

OAK offers over 7,500 parking spaces in its four lots that are open 24 hours a day. Frequent, free shuttles link the lots and the terminals. For parking availability and road conditions, travelers can call TravInfo's 511-information line or the airport's parking assistance line at 510-563-3200, or visit oaklandairport.com. On-airport parking rates per 24 hours are: $15 in the Economy lot, $19 in the ValuPark lot, $22 in the Daily lot and $32 in the Hourly lot. OAK's premium Valet lot service is available to customers who are running late and/or prefer convenience and care. Valet customers receive complimentary water and newspapers. OAK's Park & Call Zone allows meeters and greeters who can connect to their passenger by cell phone to wait for FREE up to 30 minutes. Drivers must stay with their vehicle at all times. The 25-space lot is available on a first-come, first-served basis. From Airport Drive, take the second exit ramp for John Glenn Drive and follow the signs to the Park & Call entrance, on the right near the Oakland Maintenance Center.

GETTING TO THE AIRPORT
Holiday travelers have many ground transportation choices at OAK. The airport and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) jointly operate a dedicated shuttle bus that serves BART's Coliseum station and OAK every 10-15 minutes. (More frequent service will be provided December 18-21 and December 23-28). One-way fares are $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for children (ages 11 and under), seniors and disabled with I.D. and can be paid on-board the bus with exact change only. For BART/AirBART information, call 510-569-8310. Other ground transportation alternatives include AC Transit, regional shuttles, taxis and limousines. Call 1-888-IFLYOAK (435-9625) for personalized travel planning services.

HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIPS OAK and all other U.S. airports continue to maintain a high-level of security. Help us to help you have a pleasant travel experience by planning ahead before coming to the airport. Before packing, visit the TSA website tsa.gov to learn how to pack simply to fly through security, or simpliFLY travel. Here are some tips:

o Pack your carry-on bag neatly and in layers. Eliminate clutter so that TSA officers get a clear look at bag contents through the X-ray.
o For carry-ons, keep liquids, gels and aerosols in containers 3 ounces or less, in a 1-quart zip-top bag and 1 bag per person. (Any size liquid is permitted in checked luggage).
o Plan to arrive at OAK at least 90 minutes prior for domestic departures and three hours prior for international departures to allow for increased passenger volume at airline check-in and security screening.
o ALL passengers must have a boarding pass or airline-approved document and travelers age 18 and older must show government-issued photo identification before going through the passenger security checkpoint.
o Leave holiday gifts unwrapped, both in carry-on and checked baggage, as they may need to be inspected.

To see if winter weather may impact your travel, visit the Federal Aviation Administration's website fly.faa.gov. For OAK information, type in "OAK" where it reads "Search by Airport". Also, before heading out to the airport, check in with your airline by visiting their website or calling their toll-free telephone number.

This year, holiday travelers will enjoy many new choices in food, beverage and shopping in OAK's Terminal 2. To satisfy hunger and thirst, passengers can choose between Andalé Mexican Restaurant & Bar, California Pizza Kitchen, Fentons Creamery, Gordon Biersch Brewing Company, Market Fresh and Max's Eatz and Fresh Bakery. For a quick cup of coffee, visit Peet's, Starbucks and Training Grounds. Great gift ideas can be found in Oakland Marketplace, Oakland News, See's Candies, Sunglass Icon, Techshowcase and Under a Silver Moon.

OAK has over 200 flights a day on 14 domestic and international carriers to 38 nonstop destinations. The airport is a revenue division of the Port of Oakland, an independent department of the city of Oakland. Visit oaklandairport.com for more information.

-OAK-