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Sequester Could Cause Delays During ABIA's Busiest Month

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says U.S. airports, including Los Angeles International and O'Hare International in Chicago, are already experiencing delays in waiting lines as a result of automatic federal spending cuts.

 

Napolitano was describing wait times inside airports. The Federal Aviation Administration reports there no significant flight delays in either Los Angeles or Chicago so far today. Delays are routine at both of those airports.

This comes as officials at Austin’s airport is gearing up for one of its busiest months of the year.

“In years past we’ve seen security wait times up to an hour long during these the peak times, when the interactive festival ends as well as the music festival are wrapping up,” said A.B.I.A spokesman Jason Zielinski.

During the month of March the airport is expecting nearly one million to pass through the airport. Much of that can be attributed to the South by Southwest Music Festival.

While airport officials could not comment on the federal spending cuts,Napolitano says delays will become worse. The Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Protection agencies, which are part of the Homeland Security Department, are issuing furlough notices and have cut overtime for employees. Speaking in Washington, Napolitano says she expects a cascading effect during the week, with wait times expected to double in worst cases.

Austin Airport asks that travelers arrive at least two hours prior to departure time from March 6-20, 2013, and at least 90 minutes early for all other days. 

For more information about traveling through A.B.I.A during the month of March.