AUSTIN (KXAN) — The busy travel season is about to take off at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. While the airport said NASCAR weekend by no means is a record-breaker, it’s gearing up for it and everything happening after.
The airport estimates around 29,000 people will fly to or from Austin during the race weekend. Spokesperson Sam Haynes said that while that number might seem high, it’s low by airport standards.
Things will ramp up when South by Southwest (SXSW) kicks off on March 7. The airport said that’s when airport lines can begin to get longer than normal. The busiest single day of travel during SXSW in 2024 saw more than 37,000 people leave in one day.
However, there is a silver lining for this year. The airport said local schools coincided spring breaks with SXSW. Most schools are having a break later this year, during the week of March 17. It could still be busy, however, because SXSW wraps up on March 15.
All the extra travelers mean one thing — be ready for it.
The airport recommends at least two-and-a-half hours for domestic flights. It is also reminding people Frontier and Allegiant flights take off from the South Terminal, which is a separate building from the main Barbara Jordan terminal, where most airlines are located.
“Get here with enough time,” Haynes said. “So if you’re showing up an hour or hour-and-a-half before your flight, you’re simply not giving yourself enough time to get through TSA security.”
The airport also recommends travelers keep an eye on any expected flight changes via their airline. You can also check the latest arrivals and departures on the airport’s website.
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