If you're planning on jetting out of the city after enjoying the final shows of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, brace yourself for the hustle and bustle of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on October 14th. In a press statement obtained by KXAN, AUS is gearing up for a potential record-breaking day with about 37,000 passengers expected to traverse its terminals. This figure would make it one of the top 10 busiest days in the airport's history.
Officials from AUS pointed out that "any day over 35,000 departing passengers is what AUS considers to be an incredibly busy day," indicating the significance of the anticipated traffic surge. Travelers are advised to arrive at least 2.5 hours early for domestic flights and even earlier, at 3 hours, for international flights to navigate the expectedly congested ticket counters and TSA lines. The advice extends from logistical preparation to luggage organization, emphasizing the importance of avoiding prohibited items in carry-on bags – a mistake that can slow down the screening process further on an already busy day.
As October proceeds, the influx of visitors isn't expected to wane with the Formula 1 weekend hot on the heels of ACL, ready to bring a fresh wave of excitement – and passengers – through AUS's doors. The airport's busiest day on record was set during the F1 weekend of October 2023, according to a FOX 7 Austin report, and the patterns suggest a strong possibility for a repeat performance this year.
For those departing via Allegiant or Frontier, remember that you'll be flying out of the South Terminal, located about 15 minutes south of the main Barbara Jordan Terminal. The two terminals are not connected; thus, passengers should account for extra travel time between them, including a potential 30-minute wait for a shuttle and a 20-minute drive to reach their correct departure point. As for drop-offs, using either the upper level for departures or the lower level for arrivals at the Barbara Jordan Terminal is a savvy move, helping to alleviate some of the expected traffic congestion.
In preparation for the deluge, AUS is taking several steps to mitigate the effects of high passenger volumes. They will be activating their Department Operations Center (DOC) to swiftly address any irregular operations or incidents during these peak travel hours. Furthermore, in coordination with their various partners, including the TSA and airlines, the airport has ramped up staffing and increased operational readiness to ensure smooth sailing—or as smooth as can be under such capacity-strained circumstances—for all travelers.
