Long lines continue at AUS following eclipse
AUSTIN (KXAN)– Long lines continued at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Thursday as about 38,000 people departed from Austin.
The lines were much shorter than Wednesday, when lines backed up all the way outside the airport. The lines were still long enough to cause concern for some people flying out.
“It is super packed today,” said passenger Jasmine Brunson, who was flying out of Austin.
Monica Reyes, who was flying out of Austin on Thursday, said she was caught off guard by all the people in line.
“I usually get here an hour before, here at this one (AUS) and I am usually fine, but today no,” Reyes said. “I am actually having to re-book my flight right now.”
Some passengers reached out to KXAN on Wednesday saying passengers from Southwest flights were stuck in long lines.
In a statement, AUS said it was “experiencing a high volume of departing passenger traffic, resulting in unusually long ticket counter lines that are extending onto the terminal curbside.”
Long lines at AUS post-eclipse; airport expects to break a top record
AUS told KXAN that Southwest lines began forming outside around 10 a.m. Wednesday and extended out the door through the rest of the day until about 7 p.m.
The baggage handling system temporarily shutdown down for about 15 – 20 minutes Wednesday due to high numbers of travelers, and was fixed around 11 a.m.
“I am here two hours before my flight and I still don’t think I am going to make it,” said a passenger flying out Wednesday.
AUS is working on implementing a new outbound baggage handling system which should be done this summer.
The new system will process about 4,000 bags per hour. It will also increase system reliability,
meaning bags will be less likely to miss their flights and flights will less likely be delayed due to delayed bags.
The total cost for this project which started in 2022, is about $241 million.
AUS said it is too soon to tell what Saturday will look like, but plan accordingly if you are heading to the airport Friday or Saturday.
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