The Edmonton International Airport (EIA) is one of the busiest places in the city this weekend, as thousands of people fly in and out of Edmonton for the holiday season.
In order to make sure everyone gets where they're going, it takes the work of thousands of employees, and that work doesn't stop for Christmas.
"The place doesn't shut down, it's 24 hours a day," said EIA Field Foreman Allan Devries, "There's always someone coming and going."
Devries' job consists of checking the field conditions of runways, taxiways and aprons, and relaying that information to pilots.
"If that plane can't land, people aren't going to get off the plane and go see their families so, safety is number one."
Devries is just one of about 4,500 employees at EIA. Many of those employees will spend Christmas away from their families and loved ones, so travelers can spend time with theirs.
"When I started here my kids were six and eight years old, so at that time it was quite difficult, you know, it was a big deal to them," Devries said, "It was always a juggling act. They kind of had to work around my schedule."
From December 21st, through to the first week of January, EIA sees roughly 23,000 people fly in and out on a daily basis. That's about 30 percent more than the average day.
As a result, employees are working harder than ever.
"We step it up, we take extra shifts. It's a busy, busy time. It's our busiest time of year," explained Joanna Andrews, who is a host at EIA's Priority Valet.
Over the Christmas rush, Priority Valet services around 130 vehicles per day.
While they are away from their loved ones, employees say working over the holidays is worth it.
"I know how important it is, so it makes a person feel pretty good to help everybody else get to where they have to be," said Devries.
"It puts a smile on people's faces that are traveling in the airport," said Andrews, "It makes me feel good. It makes me feel like I'm giving them a present."
With the holiday rush in full swing, it can be a hectic time at the airport. Officials are asking travelers to give themselves extra time, check their carry-on luggage carefully, and print their boarding pass ahead of time.
With files from Shannon Greer.
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2012.