Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) News

For immediate release:

March 11, 2009

March events - Spring break, SXSW & more– increase passenger traffic through Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

AUSTIN, TEXAS – Passenger traffic at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is expected to be heavy in March as travelers fly in and out of for such events as Spring break, SXSW, the rodeo and basketball tournaments.

Traffic is expected to increase beginning Thursday, March 12, 2009 and be heavy Friday, March 13 and stay strong through the weekend. The following weekend, March 20-22, is expected to be busy with travelers leaving SXSW and returning from Spring break. March is historically among the busiest months of the year at Austin-Bergstrom.

To make traveling easier and more comfortable the following travel tips are recommended:

While packing, look through luggage to ensure there are no prohibited items in the bag or its pockets.
Check flight status before leaving for the airport. Check with your airline or the airport’s Web site, www.abia.org, and click on “flight status, realtime.”
Arrive at least 90 minutes before your departure time; two hours for international travelers.
Allow ample time to get to the airport. Traffic and weather conditions can add to commute time.
Be prepared to present a government ID.
Zip in, zoom out with ABIA Airport On Site Parking:

Use credit card express lanes. Just swipe a credit card on the way in and swipe the same card on the way out. There’s no parking stub to keep track of and in just a swipe of a card you’re on your way.
Airport On Site Parking is easy and quick. Valet Parking and the Airport Parking Garage at the terminal mean no waiting, no buses, and the fastest way into the terminal. Other ABIA Airport Parking options include Close In and Economy.
Call 530-3300 for real-time ABIA On Site Airport Parking information.
Meeting friends or family at the airport? Stop circling the loop, park in the ABIA Parking Garage, where parking under 30 minutes is free. Afterwards, there is an hourly parking fee structure (0-30 minutes is free; 31-60 minutes is $2; each additional hour is $2, up to a daily maximum of $18.48 plus tax). Meeters and greeters should know their arriving passenger’s airline, place of origin, and arrival time.

Dress and pack smart for security screening:

Remember 3-1-1 for liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on luggage. Three ounces per container, in a clear, one-quart bag, one per passenger. These bags should be placed in bins going through x-ray like other personal belongings such as keys. This will speed up the process as TSA will not have to search through carry-ons for liquids.
Families and travelers with special needs or those unfamiliar with air travel procedures may pass through security at their own pace via TSA’s Family Lanes. The sort-yourself lanes present the option for passengers needing more time for screening to use a separate lane than passengers traveling lightly. Look for the lane’s green circle sign.
Knives, scissors with pointed tips, pepper spray and other such items are prohibited as carry-on items. For a comprehensive list of banned and permitted carry-on items, visit the TSA's Web site at www.tsa.gov.
Carry-on luggage is restricted to one bag and one personal item such as a purse, briefcase, backpack, or laptop. A laptop must be removed from its case to go through x-ray machines.
Avoid wearing jewelry and accessories that contain metal. Consider wearing easy to remove shoes to place through x-ray machines.
Outer coats, jackets and other such garments must be put through x-ray screening.
Carrying undeveloped film? The TSA advises putting undeveloped film in carry-on luggage and visual inspection of film may be requested at checkpoints. Checked bag screening equipment may damage film.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has nonstop service to 41 destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Over 9 million passengers came through Austin-Bergstrom International in 2008. A complete listing of all nonstop flight destinations from Austin and the airlines that serve them is available on www.abia.org, click on ‘airlines & flights.’ For airport information 24 hours a day call (512) 530-ABIA (2242) or visit www.abia.org. The South Terminal can be reached directly by calling (512) 530-5300.

Source: City of Austin