SDF welcomes Derby travelers as airport prepares for busiest travel day of the year

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is welcoming thousands of travelers arriving for Kentucky Derby weekend.

The airport expected more than 16,000 inbound seats Thursday. Derby greeters are welcoming visitors with 30,000 Woodford Reserve bourbon balls, and 3,000 fresh roses are decorating the terminal.

Sunday, the day after the Derby, is expected to be the single busiest day of the year at SDF, with nearly 20,000 outbound seats.

"Our passenger growth has just continued," said Natalie Chaudoin, with the Louisville airport. "I mean since 2017, 2018 on Sunday after Derby, we used to see around 11 thousand outbound seats and now we're seeing nearly 20 thousand. So that's a pretty significant airlift increase."

Chaudoin said airlines added a significant number of routes specifically for Derby.

Travelers are also reminded that bottles of Kentucky bourbon must go in checked bags. Bottles larger than 3.4 ounces will be confiscated at security if they are packed in a carry-on.