ABIA receives fuel shortage alert; no passengers yet affected

Due to a combination of more passengers flying and demand exceeding supply, officials from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport confirmed via a March 28 statement that airlines have received a fuel shortage alert.

There has been no immediate impact to passengers yet, but airlines are now being requested to fly with extra fuel than they normally would, according to the statement.

Airlines may also have to divert to fuel up at other airports as ABIA continues to see high volumes of passengers, especially during peak travel periods Thursday-Monday, according to the statement.

"[On March 27], [the Transportation Security Administration] processed 8,965 passengers before 8 a.m. and 8,252 passengers before 8 a.m. today," an ABIA representative said via email March 28. "These volumes reflect thousands of Austin visitors traveling home after attending events like Texas Relays, Dell Masters, NASCAR and more."

In response to the strong demand for air travel, ABIA continues to expedite improvements at airport terminals through the Airport Expansion and Development Program, and officials are working alongside partners including the TSA to fill staff vacancies, according to the statement.

"We appreciate the patience and understanding of our passengers and continue to ask them to plan ahead, arrive early, and show kindness to airport and airline staff who are working hard to get them safely to their destination," the statement reads.