Alexandria, VA— Travelers and visitors to Ronald Reagan Washington National and Washington Dulles International Airports will see signs of the holiday season when they arrive at the Airports.

Customer service "Santa's Helpers" will be circulating throughout the terminals and concourses greeting passengers, providing information and distributing literature on holiday gift ideas from the airport shops and providing food discount coupons at participating eateries. The airport restaurants will also join in the spirit by offering food samples and sponsoring entertainment with the retail concessions.

Holiday music provided by a baby grand piano, located across from the Disney Store in the Terminal B/C at National and in Concourse B at Dulles, will entertain passengers in the afternoon and early evening hours.

The shops at the airports remind travelers that they offer the same prices as found in area malls. A toll free number to call is available if shoppers believe they are charged more for merchandise at the airport than at the same store in a mall.

Airport shopping can be a new and easier experience, especially during the holidays when many shopping center stores are crowded. The airports also offer a shopping feature that is hard to find elsewhere -- early morning hours. The shops in National Hall in Terminal B/C open daily at 7:00 a.m.; several hours earlier than retail stores and malls. Many stores will also ship purchases so travelers can avoid having to carry the items on the plane.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority wishes happy travel holidays to area residents and visitors.

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