1. Airport ground breaking on 'Texas-sized’ garage
Airport and city officials gathered just north of the economy parking lot to break ground on a new parking garage at ABIA on Feb. 28.
Marking another milestone in the parade of projects coming online for the airport's sweeping multimillion-dollar expansion, the new 2.5-million-square-foot parking garage will add an estimated 7,000 spaces as well as electric vehicle charging stations and smart parking and toll gate technologies.
Read more here.
2. Airport patio reopens to public
For travelers passing through the Austin airport, the little-known outdoor patio is once again open to the public.
The outdoor patio, located near Gate 2, offers front-row views of planes taking off and landing on the airport’s two runways.
After a two-year stint as a private lounge, the space has reopened daily for communal use from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and includes lounge chairs, picnic tables and shade.
Read more here.
City and airport officials celebrated the start of construction May 12 on the Atrium Infill Project that will result in an additional 12,000 square feet for the Arrivals and Departures Hall within the Barbara Jordan Terminal at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
The project is expected to increase capacity for Transportation Security Administration queuing and airline ticketing counter lines, which has in the past extended outside the terminal during busy travel days, according to a news release.
Read more here.
4. First major airport expansion project complete
After four years of planning, construction and groundbreaking ceremonies, city of Austin officials celebrated the completion of a major milestone in the multibillion-dollar airport expansion, opening a newly improved $13.8 million International Arrivals corridor June 18.
The improvements add 20,600 square feet of additional space, including expanded passenger queuing areas, new baggage claim carousels and upgraded processing facilities for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Read more here.
5. Southwest claims gates at AUS
The next iteration of Southwest Airlines has laid claim to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, with the carrier pursuing a lease agreement with the city for up to 18 gates in a planned new concourse.
On Aug. 28, City Council approved an agreement allowing the Department of Aviation to move forward with negotiations and lease agreements with commercial airlines and cargo carriers for future facilities planned under the Airport Expansion and Development Program.
Within the same day, Southwest Airlines told Community Impact in an emailed statement that it’s aiming to add more gates at ABIA.
Read more here.
6. City leaders back incentives for Southwest expansion at Austin airport
City of Austin officials voted to advance an economic development agreement with Southwest Airlines Dec. 11 as the airline explores multiple potential locations—and incentives—for its expansion. Its Austin project would serve travelers through more staffing, and gate and aircraft availability to improve reliability and reduce disruptions, city staff reported.
The framework would see Austin pay an estimated $5.5 million to Southwest for roughly 2,000 new local hires over a five-year term, while the city would benefit with nearly $12 million in new tax revenue. The airline would also take on a $7.5 million infrastructure development at the city-owned airport.
Read more here.
The tower at ABIA is one of the most understaffed in the nation, operating at only 45% of its target staffing level, according to U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett.
Doggett said the air traffic control tower is down to just 27 of the 60 needed controllers.
In recent years, there have been several reports of near-miss incidents at the Austin airport. Both local and federal officials have called on the FAA for increased support.
Recent months have also seen multiple forced plane groundings due to staffing issues, resulting in delays during one of the airport's busiest seasons.
Read more here.
8. Austin leaders make moves to create Texas’ first FAA air traffic control academy
Just a few months shy of the one-year anniversary of a near-miss incident at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Austin City Council members approved a resolution July 24 urging the Federal Aviation Administration to prioritize staffing at the airport.
Austin City Council member Vanessa Fuentes, who authored the measure, said the call to action includes several components, among them an FAA-approved air traffic controller academy in partnership with Austin Community College.
“We want to continue to ask and demand that the FAA take action, but also add a local solution,” Fuentes said in an interview with Community Impact. “Rather than pointing a finger, we are lending a hand, trying to address and help solve for the staffing shortages.”
If the city succeeds in establishing a certified air traffic controller program locally, it would be the first and only one of its kind in Texas.
Read more here.
9. Austin airport officials celebrate new baggage handling system
Airport and city officials marked the completion of a new outbound baggage handling system tied to its expansion program Dec. 10.
Noted as a milestone in capacity-building efforts, the new luggage handling system is capable of processing around 4,000 bags per hour and serving up to 37 million passengers annually, ABIA CEO Ghizlane Badawi said.
Read more here.
