Airline check-in issues cause delays at Austin airport
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport reported delays Friday morning due to check-in issues.
Southwest Airlines said its ground operations team worked through some minor challenges which affected customers checking in on Friday morning.
AUS said it was seeing longer lines than usual due to an earlier issue with an airline ticket counter’s check-in process around 6:30 a.m. Friday.
“We apologize to customers for the inconvenience and appreciate their patience as we worked to get them to their destinations as quickly as possible,” Southwest said.
According to the airline, a technical issue at AUS affected the airport’s bag belt system and Southwest’s ability to assist customers in checking bags. The baggage handling system is maintained by the airport.
AUS said a piece of baggage security screening equipment — which is a component of the baggage handling system — was temporarily offline Friday morning and it may have contributed to some of the delays.
The equipment issue likely created a trickle-down effect of delays at the airport.
“We’re always working with our airline partners and TSA to identify and solve challenges that arise at AUS. We’re looking forward to delivering a new outbound baggage handling system and expanded and improved checkpoints through the Journey With AUS Program,” AUS said.
Southwest said there were also lengthy lines at the TSA checkpoint.
The airport said it has since resumed normal operations after the issue was resolved, according to an AUS spokesperson.
“Operations are normal now but please give yourself extra time to get here early, check bags and get screened by TSA,” AUS said.
Source: KXAN.com
