Austin-Bergstrom International Airport announced new measures aimed at protecting travelers amid the coronavirus pandemic. This comes after passenger traffic has gradually increased over the last few weeks and positive coronavirus cases continue to rise in Texas. Passenger traffic is still significantly lower than is typical for this time of year.
 
“Our staff is busy working with our partners and across divisions to ensure a safe and healthy passenger experience for customers,” said Jacqueline Yaft, Chief Executive Officer of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. 

AUS has already enhanced cleaning practices and installed signage to promote adherence to public health guidance. Other changes passengers will notice include:

• New stanchion signage throughout the terminal to encourage physical distancing.
• New digital signage in gate areas and visitors’ center to encourage physical distancing, face coverings, and good hygiene.
• Additional hand sanitizing stations.
• Visual aids for physical distancing in the terminal, garages and other facilities.
• Overhead announcements promoting adherence to public health best practices, such as wearing a face covering, physical distancing and other CDC-recommended protocols.
• Protective Plexiglass barriers in common areas including ticket counters and gate counters.
• Additional cleaning throughout the terminal, including TSA security checkpoints, the Customs & Border Protection Federal Inspection Services (FIS) area, and hold room areas. Restrooms will be cleaned every 90 minutes and deep-cleaned overnight. 
• An on-call disinfectant team for decontamination, deep cleaning and other protocols when necessary.
• Temporary closure of the Economy Lot to mitigate the crowded nature of parking shuttles. Parking rates in the Blue and Red Garages have been discounted so passengers can safely park near the Barbara Jordan Terminal and walk a short distance to it. More information and parking updates can be found at abiaparking.com.

Photos and video of these changes can be found here.

While AUS is taking many precautions to ensure the health and safety of passengers, it’s imperative that those who choose to travel come to the airport prepared. Here are a few things travelers can do to protect themselves, fellow passengers, and AUS employees while at the airport:

• When making decisions about whether or not to travel, check guidance from the CDC, public health authorities and arrival destinations.
• Passengers must wear a face covering when traveling through AUS. Limited face coverings can be purchased at several locations pre- and post-security.
• Passengers are encouraged to utilize mobile boarding passes and to check in from home when possible, helping to limit touchpoints. 
• Those picking up or dropping off passengers should not enter the Barbara Jordan Terminal; instead, they should wait in the Cell Phone Lot and stay in their vehicles unless they are assisting unaccompanied minors, passengers with disabilities, or others who need assistance.
• Everyone inside airport facilities should continue to maintain a safe physical distance, wash their hands frequently and cover coughs and sneezes.

AUS is prepared to adjust if and when necessary. To ensure you're up to date on the latest changes being made to help keep AUS safe and clean, please follow us on Twitter and check our website regularly.

Airline Requirements:
Most AUS airline partners now require passengers to wear face coverings during their flight, and some airlines have also implemented temperature screening prior to boarding. Masks are available for sale in several locations both pre- and post-security at AUS. A full list of those locations can be found here.

Passengers should check with their airline about any unique requirements or processes prior to arriving at AUS.