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Season's Busiest Day Expected At Midway Airport

CHICAGO (CBS) -- If you're planning to fly out of Midway International Airport Friday, get ready for what officials say will be the busiest day of the year.

The city says you can expect to be in the company of 65,700 fellow travelers.

The busiest day at O'Hare International Airport was Thursday, when an estimated 202,600 passengers were expected to pass through.

The Chicago Department of Aviation says almost 3 million people are expected to pass through O'Hare and Midway between Thursday and New Year's Day.

As the airports are flooded with travelers, the Department of Aviation is seeking to make the experience as easy and pleasant as possible.

Wrapped gifts may be opened and inspected at security checkpoints, so both O'Hare and Midway have set up complimentary gift-wrapping stations beyond the checkpoints.

The Midway gift-wrapping station will operate between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. through Friday near Harry Caray's Restaurant, while O'Hare has set up stations in between gates B8 and B9 in Terminals 1; across from Johnny Rockets in Terminal 2; and across from Garrett's Popcorn in Terminal 3 from noon to 5 p.m., also through Friday.

Live entertainment will also be presented at both airports through Friday, near the lower level baggage claim at Midway and at several locations at O'Hare.

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