Busy month expected at ABIA

AUSTIN (KXAN) - With several events taking place in March throughout the city, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is advising passengers to show up early.

If travelling from March 6-20, airport officials recommend travelers arrive at the airport at two hours prior to departure.

Ticketing and security lines are expected to be longer that normal as thousands of visitors descend on the city for South By Southwest.

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Other events such as Rodeo Austin, the University Interscholastic League state basketball tournament, spring break and races at Circuit of the Americas will make this a busy month for the airport.

During peak travel times, ABIA will activate their new, fourth security checkpoint. The additional screening area increases maximum capacity from 11 lanes to 15. This will be the first time the new checkpoint has been used during SXSW.

To help funnel SXSW visitors to downtown, Capitol Metro will run busses from ABIA to downtown every 15 minutes. The 10-day festival will also close several downtown streets , so visitors and commuters are encouraged to plan ahead and find alternative routes.