BIG FLATS, N.Y. (WENY) -- With Christmas less than a week away, all of Ithaca Tompkins International Airport's flights are at 100 percent capacity. Elmira Corning Regional Airport's planes are over 90 percent full.

Elmira Airport is close to operating at pre-pandemic levels. However, Delta Airlines is only sending half of its traditional amount of planes to Elmira Corning Regional Airport as part of its own company scale-back due to the pandemic. 

"It’s a challenging time for everybody. I think when you have to wear masks and you have the threat of COVID, but we really haven't seen any incidents, and nothing has raised any concerns," said Thomas Freeman, the director of aviation at Elmira Corning Regional Airport.

The Elmira Airport is receiving 30 flights this week. Alexander Gilbert, arriving from Mississippi to visit family in Pennsylvania, was on one of those flights.

"I can't describe it. I've been away for eight months and being this close to home, it gets to you," said Gilbert.

Gilbert, a Navy sailor, is not worried about COVID-19 even as cases surge in the Twin Tiers.

"I've flown ... I'd say six times in the past eight months, and I haven't seen anybody, like, causing issues with it. I feel very safe flying now, especially just going state to state, said Gilbert.

It is business as usual for the holiday service at both Elmira Corning Regional and Ithaca Tompkins International Airports.