Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is preparing for an influx of travelers this weekend as both Formula 1 race fans and SEC football enthusiasts converge on Central Texas. With October being a busy travel month, AUS anticipates record-breaking passenger numbers. The airport expects more than 30,000 departing passengers on high-traffic days, with Monday, October 21 projected to be the busiest day ever, potentially reaching around 44,000 departures.
The increase in travelers is due to the University of Texas at Austin vs. University of Georgia football game on Saturday and the United States Grand Prix race at Circuit of The Americas on Sunday. To manage this surge, the City of Austin Department of Aviation has coordinated with various partners to ensure sufficient staffing levels across airline operations, TSA checkpoints, concessions, and other essential services.
Travelers are advised to arrive at least 2.5 hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights if using general TSA screening. Those needing additional pre-security activities should allow extra time but not more than four hours before departure. For those arriving early, Visit Austin offers a luggage storage center at their Visitor Center.
Airline ticket counters are expected to be crowded, particularly for airlines offering free or discounted checked luggage. Traffic near the airport may also be heavy; therefore, passengers should plan their routes accordingly using DriveTexas.org for real-time traffic updates.
AUS provides three security screening checkpoints leading to all gates, with TSA PreCheck and Clear available at Checkpoint 2 West. These checkpoints open daily at 3 a.m., with Checkpoint 2 West remaining open overnight between Sunday and Monday.
Parking options include reserving spaces in the Blue Garage, Red Garage, or Economy Lots via ABIAParking.com. Shuttle services run every 15-20 minutes from parking areas to the terminal.
Accessibility services are available for arriving passengers through trams and ADA-compliant shuttles from terminals to pick-up areas and economy lots. Departing passengers requiring wheelchair assistance should contact their airline in advance.
Passengers without checked luggage can use mobile boarding passes or self-service kiosks to bypass busy ticket counters. Allegiant and Frontier passengers will depart from The South Terminal located separately from the main Barbara Jordan Terminal.
Ongoing construction projects under "Journey With AUS" may be noticeable within the terminal. Travelers can visit AustinTexas.gov/AUSConstructionUpdates for details on scheduled activities or contact Airport Operations Center staff for assistance during their journey.