AUSTIN, Texas – With Austin’s Spring Festival Season and Spring Break bringing increased traveler volumes to the Central Texas area, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is expecting higher-than-usual passenger numbers starting Thursday, March 6 through the end of the month.  
 

Several days are expected to exceed 30,000+ departing passengers, with the busiest travel days projected to be:

• 📅 Sunday, March 9

• 📅 Monday, March 10

• 📅 Sunday, March 30

• 📅 Monday, March 31 
   

AUS officials joined other City of Austin leaders earlier this week to discuss travel and event expectations. You can view the City of Austin’s press release and watch the March 3 press event for more details about city-wide Spring Festival Season preparations.
 

Plan Ahead: Arrive Early

⏳ Arrive 2.5 hours before departure time for domestic flights, and 3 hours before departure time for international flights.

🧳 If checking bags with an airline offering free or discounted bag check, budget additional time for arrival.

🚙 If travelers plan on returning a rental car, we recommend for them to arrive even earlier. 
 

Security Screening & Packing Tips

✅ AUS has three security checkpoints, which lead to all gates:

• TSA PreCheck and Clear are available at Checkpoint 2 West.

• TSA will sometimes use Checkpoint 2 East for PreCheck as an overflow option so travelers should follow the guidance of TSA and Department of Aviation staff on which Checkpoint to use.

• The Department of Aviation worked with TSA last year to expand existing checkpoints leading up to the closure of Checkpoint 3 due to expansion and improvements, creating more checkpoint lanes than previously available.  

• TSA checkpoints open daily at 3 a.m.
   

🚫 Avoid Delays at Security

• Liquids or aerosols over 3.4 oz. are not allowed in carry-ons. Check your bags before arriving.

• Firearms and weapons are strictly prohibited in carry-on bags and at TSA Checkpoints. TSA intercepted 126 firearms at AUS last year. Travelers often cite using the same bags for their carry-on as they use to transport firearms to gun ranges as the reason behind not realizing they have accidentally brought their weapon to the airport.  

• Festival giveaways, promotional items, and bulky souvenirs should be packed in checked luggage.

• Unsure about an item? Visit TSA.gov or text "Travel" to AskTSA (275-872) for more information about prohibited items. 
   

🚘 Parking Options

🚗 Parking: On-site parking may fill up quickly. Reserve parking spaces at least 24 hours in advance and check real-time availability at ABIAParking.com or call (512) 530-3300.

🚌 Shuttle Service: Runs every 15-20 minutes from parking lots to the terminal.
 

📍 Drop-off & Pick-up:

• Use either the upper level (departures) or lower level (arrivals).

• If the arrivals area is congested, pick up your passenger on the departures level instead.

✈️ Frontier & Allegiant passengers: We recommend parking on-site at the South Terminal, which is separate from the main Barbara Jordan terminal.
 

♿Accessibility & Mobility Assistance

🗺️ AUS is piloting a new smartphone application wayfinding tool for passengers who are hard-of-hearing, deaf, blind, have low vision, or have other accessibility and functional needs. The GoodMaps app is available in the Apple iOS store and Google Play store. While using the app, the phone should be held upright, like taking a photo or video. The app will provide directions both in haptics, visuals, and textual prompts.

♿ Passengers needing wheelchair assistance should contact their airline to coordinate this service.

📞 TSA offers a passenger assistance program, TSA Cares, for departing travelers who may want more help during the security screening process at AUS. Call TSA at (855) 787-2227 72 hours before your trip to set this up.

🚖 All of AUS’s accessibility services and amenities, including the Sunflower Lanyard Program and bag claim curbside pick-up for rideshare users with disabilities or mobility assistive devices can be found online here. 
 

⌚Save Time with Smart Check-In

📲 Use mobile boarding passes to skip airline ticket counters.

🖨️ Print boarding passes at self-service kiosks inside the terminal.

🛄 Some airlines offer curbside check-in on the upper level. 
 

Traveling from the South Terminal?

📍 Allegiant and Frontier passengers must use the South Terminal at 10000 Logistics Lane (near US 183 & Burleson Road).

🚐 AUS offers a shuttle service to this terminal, but parking on-site is recommended to save time. 
 

🎶 Getting the Most Out of Your AUS Experience

🎸Once inside the Barbara Jordan Terminal, travelers can enjoy food from various local Austin restaurants, discover new art installations, listen to live music at one of our stages, and more. Step-by-step directions to any location within the airport can be found using the AUS interactive map. 
 

🏗️Construction Activities

🚧 Journey With AUS airport improvement construction projects may be noticeable to passengers in the terminal. Visit AustinTexas.gov/AUSConstructionUpdates for a list of scheduled and active construction activities or follow AUS on social media (X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn) for updates. 
 

📞 Need Assistance?

AUS’s Department of Aviation staff will be in the terminal on busy days to help travelers. Passengers can call the Airport Operations Center at (512) 530-2242 or ask any AUS team member for assistance. 
 

For more updates, follow AUS on social media and visit FlyAustin.com.