The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport issued a high passenger volume alert for Saturday morning.
According to a Friday afternoon social media post, the airport expects approximately 30,000 departing passengers today, which is roughly 50% more than on a typical Saturday.
The busiest time is expected to be 4-8 a.m. AUS officials are asking travelers to arrive at least 2.5 hours before their domestic flights (and three hours before international departures) to allow for extra time to get through TSA screening.
The start to the spring break and festival season this week brought eye-popping lines to AUS. More than 35,000 people reportedly traveled out of the facility on Friday.
In anticipation of this increased traffic, AUS put out a press release with travel tips on March 10. In addition to arriving early, it recommends travelers check flight status and terminal information with their airline before heading to the airport.
The press release also notes that the Barbara Jordan Terminal now features four checkpoints, the first of which is typically open daily at 3:00 a.m. Checkpoint 4 is located on the far west side of the terminal and is provides easier access to Gates 22 and above.
Avoid security delays by ensuring all liquids and aerosols in carry-on bags are 3.4 ounces or less, all firearms are locked in TSA-approved hard cases and checked with the airline, and souvenirs are all packed in carry-on bags.
Because on-site parking is expected to fill quickly, travelers should reserve parking at least 24 hours in advance at ABIAParking.com, check parking availability before arriving, and use shuttle service to get from parking lots to the terminal.