Travelers flying out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) during the Thanksgiving season should brace for packed terminals and busy roadways, airport officials advised, offering tips for a smoother holiday journey in a statement released today. Citing the influx of passengers last year, with over 382,000 people screened during the period, the airport anticipates a heavy turnout once again, especially on the Friday before Thanksgiving when nearly 38,000 individuals went through the TSA screening.
To facilitate a better experience, additional Department of Aviation staff will be stationed in the terminal to aid with wayfinding, line management and to maintain orderly scenes, though specific passenger volume projections for this season are not yet charted, last year's data reflects the high-demand, with the busiest day seeing almost 38,000 travelers. Facing potential roadway congestion, travelers are encouraged to check DriveTexas.org for live traffic updates and to plan for extra travel time to the airport. AUS is also adjusted the terminal access routes, closing certain on-ramps and exits intermittently; during these periods, drivers will be rerouted via Spirit of Austin Lane or Hotel Drive for terminal access.
Parking on-site could reach capacity quickly, hence reservations are recommended and real-time availability can be observed at ABIAParking.com. With shuttles to terminals running every 15 to 20 minutes, additional arrival time may be required by passengers. AUS advises flyers to arrive at least 2.5 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights, while large-group or special-needs passengers should allocate even more time.
The airport's security checkpoints, including TSA PreCheck and Clear at Checkpoint 2 West, are to open at 3 a.m., and passengers can expedite their check-in process by printing boarding passes from kiosks or using mobile boarding passes, allowing them to proceed directly to the security lines there were collaborations between airport management and TSA to expand the number of security lanes and machines in attempts to mitigate delays at busy times. Those with accessibility needs can benefit from the integration of the new GoodMaps app and the ongoing TSA Cares passenger assistance program. Varied in-terminal entertainment options await these travelers once they've navigated the initial stages of their airport journey.
It's noteworthy that Allegiant and Frontier operate from the separate AUS South Terminal and construction projects may be visible, which are part of the airport's extensive expansion program detailed at AustinTexas.gov/AUSConstructionUpdates. Media seeking coverage of the busy travel season should RSVP for interviews taking place on Tuesday, November 26, from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the Barbara Jordan Terminal's Mobility Lounge area; details for media parking and coordination are provided by Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
