The "Journey with AUS" expansion program includes several projects, such as a new baggage handling system, facilities and passenger gates, various airfield upgrades, and the construction of new taxiways and a second terminal.
The airport celebrated 25 years this May, having first opened in 1999.
1. Austin airport closes security checkpoint
Marking the start of a year filled with milestones for the airport’s expansion projects, a security checkpoint on the airport's far west end closed Feb. 5 and will remain shut for at least two years.
The closure of Checkpoint 3 is part of the airport’s West Infill project, which will add thousands of square feet to accommodate travelers walking through the airport and a new outbound baggage handling system for checked bags. The project is expected to be completed sometime in 2026.
Read more.
2. Austin airport receives $39M in federal funding for expansion
ABIA received $39.51 million in federal funding to be used toward modernizing and expanding the airport, according to a Feb. 14 announcement.
The funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, passed in 2021, that has delivered about $29 billion to investment projects in Texas. These include projects that have rebuilt roads, expanded public transit and modernized airports, according to a news release from U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett.
ABIA has previously received $15 million of funding for the expansion program from the Infrastructure Law in 2022.
Read more.
3. Officials celebrate groundbreaking on 75,000-square-foot expansion
Airport representatives and elected officials—including U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson—celebrated a ceremonial groundbreaking on the West Infill project April 22, part of the overall expansion plan.
The project will add 75,000 square feet across four levels, increasing space for new security checkpoints, passenger processing and amenities.
Construction began in fall 2023 on the West Infill project and is anticipated to be completed in 2026. The project will include:
- Up to eight security lanes at the checkpoint
- The completion of a new outbound baggage handling system, which will increase capacity for checked luggage screening
- More ticketing counters and kiosks
- New offices for both airport and security staff
4. Airport faces 'concerning' staffing struggles amid major expansion program
Austin's airport is continuing to see high vacancy rates and struggling to fill empty positions, while passenger traffic rises and its multibillion-dollar expansion program moves along.
City Council members heard updates on Austin-Bergstrom International Airport's operations July 30 as part of their fiscal year 2024-25 budget review.
While ABIA has seen its staffing levels improve over the past year, nearly one in five Aviation Department positions sat unfilled as of this summer.
Airport vacancies fell from more than 35% in July 2023—the highest of any city department at that time—to 19.6% by late June 2024. This summer's rate was still the second highest in the city and more than double the overall civilian vacancy rate.
Read more.
5. More than $2B in airport expansion funding approved
In July, City Council members approved roughly $190 million in contracts for improved airfield systems, engineering services, and infrastructure upgrades.
During their Aug. 29 meeting, council members voted for more than $300 million in new spending, including:
- An additional $155 million for construction of redesigned aircraft taxiways in the middle of ABIA's campus, plus an additional $6 million for architectural and engineering services in support.
- A $60 million authorization that allows several firms to offer architecture and engineering services for expansion projects.
- A contract increase of $13.08 million, which will bring the total spending to $19.1 million for improvements to the airport's baggage handling system.
- $72 million for the design of ABIA's new Concourse B midfield, and a new tunnel linking it with the existing Barbara Jordan Terminal. Construction funding will be awarded in the future, and the city anticipates federal funding support as well.
Read more.
6. Paving the path for further expansion, crews breaks ground on key taxiways
On Sept. 27, city and aviation officials gathered at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to mark the start of construction on new midfield taxiways.
The project is a critical step toward the future development of a new concourse.
To support a new, 20-plus gate concourse, ABIA broke ground on two new parallel concrete taxiways. The project will streamline aircraft movement by connecting the runways between the existing Barbara Jordan Terminal and future Concourse B
Read more.
7. Austin airport receives another $33M in federal funding
ABIA officials announced a $33.27 million funding grant from the Federal Aviation Administration in October to support the construction of the airport’s Concourse B project.
With the project in the early stages of design, airport leaders aim to begin construction in 2027 and open the new facility as early as 2030. To date, the Concourse B project has been awarded $47.62 million in federal funding.
Read more.
