In Through the Out Door
The volume of passengers at ABIA continues to set new records.
The ABIA terminal drop-off and pick-up areas are generally capable of accommodating a large number of travelers, but during peak times, there can be a long line of cars waiting to enter the terminal area.
In the morning, the line of cars heading towards departures can be quite long, this reverses to a long line to arrivals in the afternoon/evening.
During peak arrival times, the cell phone lot can become quite full. When a flight lands, literally hundreds of passengers simultaneously summon their rides that have been patiently waiting in the cell phone lot.
The end result is a mad dash of cars from the cell phone lot to the terminal and often a massive traffic jam, so it can take quite a while for your driver to reach you.
During these peak arrival times it is often much faster and easier to instead pick you up at departures on the upper level.
The reverse is also true: peak morning departures often mean it’s easier/faster to drop you off at arrivals.
ABIA even advocates this practice: If you're getting dropped off at the airport, opt for the "Arrivals" area instead of “Departures” if traffic is backed up. Once you’re dropped off at Arrivals, head up one floor to Departures to proceed to the airline ticket counters and security screening.
Talk to your driver about these alternative methods!
Morning departure traffic at ABIA as shown on Google Maps