Austin airport receives TSA staffing boost in response to recent backups

Grimmett also said the airport is continuing to evaluate other improvements to its passenger ticketing and screening process, including collaboration with the TSA and airlines. The airport recently advised that travelers can expect to be met with busy conditions at the airport—especially on weekends and early mornings—through at least this summer, as ABIA is poised to break its record annual passenger count in 2022.

The TSA staffing support comes as the facility plans for its extensive expansion project that is also expected to relieve congestion and modernize airport operations. However, many key upgrades—such as a new midfield terminal, added gates and security lines—will not be completed for several more years.

A recent controversy over a proposed jet fuel storage expansion at the airport was also ended with a City Council vote against a plan to find a new location for the site, clearing the way for a key piece of the expansion to proceed. Aviation officials say the fuel facility is needed to improve capacity and provide enough fuel for the increasing number of flights in and out of Austin, which the airport has at times struggled to keep up with.

The plan was opposed by dozens of residents and five council members, who raised concerns about potential environmental and safety effects as well as a lack of community engagement about the project.