Travelers heading to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport should brace for busier terminals than usual this weekend. The airport is set to see a surge in passengers, with over 35,000 expected on Sunday, October 20, and a further 44,000 on Monday, October 21. This bump is mainly due to the football clash between the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Georgia and the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, as per official statements.
Amidst this expected uptick, the airport has advised flyers to quickly arrive at least 2.5 hours before domestic departures and 3 hours prior to international ones. However, travelers shouldn't show up more than 4 hours before their flight. For those with time to kill, Visit Austin is providing a luggage storage service at their Visitor Center downtown, so tourists can soak up Austin's cityscape before their departure. To straight avoid congestion, it's recommended to plan ahead for other pre-flight necessities, including returning rental cars or checking in bags.
With the anticipated crowds, passengers should prepare for extended waits at both security checkpoints and airline counters, particularly during these peak periods. The Transportation Security Administration also reminds travelers to pack in accordance with their guidelines to help ease their passage through security.
For those covering the heavy traffic, a note—media parking will shift to a temporary spot from Sunday midnight through Tuesday midnight. The new location will be on the Arrivals level by Pickup Area C. If this area is full, the airport has made arrangements for media to park at the Red Garage Short-Term parking area and has pledged to validate parking to avoid fees, stated Austin-Bergstrom Airport.
Updates and recommendations for travelers will be shared continuously on social media, and passengers are encouraged to stay connected by following @AUStinAirport for the most recent details.
