In the week leading up to Christmas, travellers can expect crowds at the airport to be thicker than usual.

The Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport is asking travellers to prepare for heavier-than-usual traffic this holiday season but says their building can handle the additional holiday tourists.

"We are going to see traffic pick up now," Tyler MacAfee, Vice President of Communications and Government Relations at the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport says. "I expect to see a very busy weekend and a busy couple of days leading up to Christmas."

MacAfee says the airport was designed to handle the larger crowds, but he still encourages people to prepare for external delays. He says the weather can play a large role in travelling to and from the airport, and well as the status of flights.

"I think the most important thing people can do this time of year is to give yourself lots of time to get to the airport," MacAfee says.

The airport asks for you to "think through the check-in process" and use the advanced check-in at security. They note that booking a taxi in advance or using their valet services can help save time. Another way to save time while flying during the Christmas season is to be extra cautious when packing luggage. If you have gifts, airport security asks that you leave them unwrapped.

"Sometimes travellers don't know and they take a wrapped gift through security," MacAfee says.

The airport has a gift-wrapping station available for the public to use after they go through security, or travellers can mail their packages ahead of time.