The big picture
Badawi characterized the airport as the “economic engine for Central Texas,” noting that a 2018 Texas Department of Transportation study estimated Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s economic impact at $7.6 billion—a figure now projected at approximately $10 billion, Badawi said.
The figure includes airport employee payroll and sales from on-site businesses, as well as visitor spending on hotels, restaurants, transportation, shopping and entertainment. The study found that airline passengers alone account for $4.5 billion in spending within the Austin community.
ABIA has also experienced significant passenger growth in recent years. Badawi noted that on a single day, the airport serves about 70,000 people—more than Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park, which sees roughly 50,000 visitors daily.
“In every decision we're making today, we're thinking about the future of the airport,” Badawi said. “We know, when we completed the master plan, that we can accommodate five to six concourses and serve up to 18 million passengers on the [airport’s] 4,200 acres."
Today, the airport ranks around 26th among the nation’s busiest airports. If ABIA were expanded to full capacity, it could rival Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport—one of the world’s busiest airports—Badawi said.
What’s happening?
Under the expansion initiative—Journey with AUS—there are six projects under construction and five in design.
Under construction:
- Baggage handling system
- Atrium Infill
- West Infill
- West Gate expansion
- Midfield taxiways
- Yellow Garage
A seventh project, the newly upgraded International Arrivals corridor, was completed in June, marking the first major milestone of the airport’s expansion.
In design:
- Concourse B and Tunnel
- New arrivals and departures hall
- New central utility plant
- Utility infrastructure campus-wide
- Temporary remote boarding facility
Looking ahead
City of Austin officials gave the green light to a new lease agreement with airlines during an Aug. 28 council meeting.
This means airlines will commit to the expansion program and lease the over 20 new gates airport officials expect to open in the early 2030s, according to an ABIA news release.
The total gate count and allocation of gates to airlines, as well as the total cost will be finalized in early 2026, the news release states.
What about the traffic?
Airport officials are currently working with TxDOT on the design of a designated entrance and exit from the airport on Hwy. 71.
According to TxDOT’s 2026 funding plans, this stretch of roadway is slated to see $55 million in road improvement within the next four years.
One more thing
The airport will begin the process of securing Concourse B concessions in mid-2026. Badawi noted that contracts in Concourse A will also expire around 2030, creating additional opportunities for local businesses. She emphasized that the expansion will make room for many local vendors at the airport.
“We want to see new businesses at the airport, [but] we are keeping the local flavor,” she said.
Elle Bent and Ben Thompson contributed to this report.
