LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville's largest airport is preparing for a rush of holiday travelers.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says about 52,000 people are expected to travel through Louisville's airport between Dec. 20 and Dec. 28. The busiest days are expected to be Friday, Dec. 20, and Dec. 26 and 27 -- the two days after Christmas.

The TSA is expecting a four percent increase in holiday travelers this year, compared to 2018.

Officials at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport are stressing the importance of checking what's inside your bags before you fly. On Tuesday morning, the TSA collected several items that weren't allowed in carry-on bags, including bug spray and liquids in large containers.

Anyone planning to travel with gifts should keep in mind that alcohol, like other liquids, is prohibited in carry-on bags when in bottles larger than 3.4 ounces.

Officials are also suggesting that travelers put the ribbons and bows on all those presents after they arrive at their destinations.

"We recommend that passengers don't wrap gifts when they're traveling over the holidays," said Mark Howell, a TSA regional spokesperson. "The reason being is if we have to do a secondary screening on the item, we're going to have to unwrap it to do that." 

Howell said even items like slime kits and Play-Doh have activated alarm systems and had to be unwrapped.

"So wait until you get to your destination, or use a gift bag, so we can just remove the item and place it back in there," he said.

TSA officials are also reminding passengers that next holiday season, they'll need more than a typical Kentucky driver's license to board a domestic flight.

"We're doing everything we can to educate our passengers on the Real ID enforcement starting October 1, 2020," said Howell. 

Real IDs -- or some other compliant ID like a passport or military ID -- will be required by October. Real IDs are still not available in Jefferson County, but officials with the transportation cabinet hope to have them ready early next year. 

"I'd say the first quarter of next year. I'd say it's too premature to narrow (an exact date) down right now but we're making rapid progress," said Naitore Djigbenou, Executive Director of the Office of Public Affairs at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. 

Djigbenou said there are several documents required when you apply for a Real ID, including anything that links name changes such as a marriage certificate. Also, if you bring a utility bill to show your proof of residency, it has to be dated within the last 61 days. 

Click here to learn more about Real ID requirements and deadlines.

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