Transportation
In 2022, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport experienced its busiest year on record. Officials anticipate that 2023 will break this record. Airport staff are working on a multi-year modernization and expansion plan that is funded by airport revenue and federal grants. In June of 2020, ABIA officials projected that passenger levels would not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2024. However, the 2022 count surpassed the 2019 level by about 20%. ABIA spokesperson Sam Haynes says the growth can likely be attributed to an increased interest in Central Texas. Airport staff expect record- breaking year
The action taken
On the journey
Spanning multiple years, the airport’s expan- sion program consists of projects aimed at creating space and modernizing the airport that was first opened in 1999, said Haynes. Active projects include a new baggage handling system for outbound checked bags; the West Gate expansion, which will extend the terminal out past gates 33 and 34 where Spirit Airlines is located; and an airline fuel facility. Officials broke ground on the West Gate expan- sion Aug. 30, which will add a total of 84,000 square feet across three levels. In addition, the airport made strides toward its new midfield concourse project in 2023. A new 20-gate concourse, or area in which travelers pass through the airport, will connect to the Barbara Jordan Terminal by a tunnel underground, Haynes said. To construct the new concourse, the airport acquired the South Terminal from its previous operator, LoneStar Airport Holdings LLC. The previous operator had a 40-year lease on the terminal that began in 2016, and the city settled for $88 million in a lawsuit to end the lease early. Operations of the South Terminal moved over to the city Nov. 1, and the terminal is up for removal by 2025. “This year has been a lot of planning, prepara- tion, sprinkling a little bit of groundbreaking, but it’s really a lot of the behind the scenes work that has to get done before we start bringing projects online,” Haynes said. In 2024, airport officials anticipate the comple- tion of its jet fuel facility and a new cargo facility. This year will also see three projects broken ground on.
In planning
• A new multi-level parking garage that will support both short- and long-term parking for up to 30 days • A new arrivals and departure hall to expand ticketing and check-in • A new 20-gate concourse, or area which travelers pass through, that connects to the Barbara Jordan Terminal through an underground tunnel
In design
• Improvements to the international facility that will include new baggage carousels and more queuing space Timeline: estimated to begin construction 2024 • Two parallel taxiways to connect the east and west sides of the building • Ticketing-level atrium infill, which will fill in an open space with 13,000 square feet to avoid TSA lines from queuing outside Timeline: estimated to begin construction 2024 • West infill to expand TSA Checkpoint 3, which will add 16,000 square feet and add additional lanes to a TSA checkpoint Timeline: estimated to begin construction 2024
ABIA to break records
AS OF SEPT. 2023, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF PASSENGERS IS 16.3M
25M
20M
Under construction
15M
• New baggage handling system for outbound checked bags Timeline: estimated to be completed in 2025 • West Gate expansion, which will extend the terminal out past gates 33 and 34, where Spirit Airlines is located Timeline: estimated to be completed in 2026 • New jet fuel facility Timeline: estimated to be completed Oct. 2024
10M
5M
0
- 2019 -
- 2021 2023
SOURCE: AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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