Austin airport to open new TSA checkpoint with more screening lanes

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport officials on Friday debuted 75,000 square feet of new space in the western end of the Barbara Jordan Terminal — including a new security checkpoint they hope will ease congestion in the terminal as the airport continues to break passenger records.

Officials, including U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, cut the ribbon on the West Infill Expansion Project and Checkpoint 4 during an afternoon ceremony. The new checkpoint is expected to open to passengers on Feb. 23.

Once operational, the checkpoint will offer four screening lanes, with the ability to expand up to eight lanes in the future. The new checkpoint replaces Checkpoint 3, which only had two screening lanes and no room to grow.

Like other checkpoints at ABIA, Checkpoint 4 will utilize CT scanners for carry-ons, which officials said will improve screening efficiency by creating 3D images of a bag’s contents. Doggett said he will push the Transportation Security Administration to ensure the new equipment is fully staffed to maximize capacity.

“We are the international gateway for business, for visitors, for pleasure and for work, and if we want to remain competitive and welcoming, we need the type of airport that we are developing here,” Doggett said.

The West Infill features other passenger amenities and functional spaces, too, including three new ticket counters, public art, infrastructure upgrades for the airport’s baggage handling system and office space.

The $241 million project was funded through airport revenues, bonds and federal grants — including nearly $16 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It’s the latest completed project in the airport’s major expansion plan, Journey with AUS, which will eventually bring a new concourse and 32 new gates to the terminal.

“Added capacity means AUS can continue to keep pace with the incredible growth of Central Texas, while improving reliability and the overall travel experience for our passengers,” airport CEO Ghizlane Badawi said.