MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Hurricane Matthew didn’t just make an impact on homes and property in our area; it also cut into business at Myrtle Beach International Airport.

Tuesday the airport said October traffic was down 5.7 percent from October of last year. That equates to more than 8,000 fewer passengers and the airport sasy the decline is pretty much all due to Hurricane Matthew.

Still, officials say the Thanksgiving holiday weekend will be busy.

“It’s always encouraged that people arrive two hours prior to their scheduled departure time to make sure they have time to find parking got through TSA check point and relax before they get on their flight,” Director of Air Service Kirk Lovell said.

Lovell also says if you’re bringing gifts, remember to bring them unwrapped. If you don’t, TSA will have to open them to inspect what’s inside.

So far this year, passenger traffic is up 5.5 percent from this point last year.