Passengers flying out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will need to adjust to a new security shuffle, as renovations prompt changes to TSA checkpoints. Commencing Wednesday, May 8, the reorganization consolidates four checkpoints into three, with a dedicated lane for TSA PreCheck and CLEAR members now at Checkpoint 2 West. The airport's Guest Services ambassador, Jasmine Lozano, has been on the ground, clearing up any confusion and directing travelers accordingly, as reported by FOX 7 Austin.
Despite a reduction in the number of checkpoints, the airport maintains its capacity with an equal number of lanes; Checkpoint 1 handles General, Known Crew Member, Priority/Premium, and ADA Screening while Checkpoint 2 East offers General Screening. "We've kind of standardized what each checkpoint area will do for passengers as they come through, and that way there isn't confusion when they walk in," Elizabeth Ferrer, public information specialist for ABIA, according to FOX 7 Austin. TSA Checkpoint 3 has been shut down since earlier in the year because the airport is currently working through a $241 million expansion projected to wrap up by 2026.
On the first day of the operational change, reactions among travelers were mixed: Some expressed their vexation over the constant changes, while others like one couple, found the experience "never been this easy at Austin Airport for us, saved us an hour. So we're happy," as per KVUE covering the updates. Additionally, with May predicted to usher in a surge of passengers, airport officials are banking on these adjustments as solutions to manage the influx efficiently.
Travelers not enrolled in PreCheck or CLEAR are directed to use Checkpoint 1 and Checkpoint 2 East, non-members have two to choose from while the dedicated lane for TSA PreCheck and CLEAR members is conveniently located at Checkpoint 2 West near the American Airlines drop-off area, as detailed by KVUE. The airport attempts to smooth out the screening experience—they plan to add 6 to 8 new security lanes when Checkpoint 3 reopens in 2026, for those looking to get a jump on the airport layout, Austin-Bergstrom has provided an interactive map on their website outlining all the current checkpoints.
