More Changes to Come as Austin Bergstrom International Airport Expands to Meet City Growth
One way to measure the growth of Austin as a travel destination is by how busy Austin Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) has become. When it opened back in 1999, the new airport, which replaced the old Robert Mueller Municipal Airport (where the current Mueller development now sits), seemed empty and cavernous, not to mention far outside of the city. Since then, Austin has spread outward to meet the facility, and the former air force base site has blossomed into an emerging international travel hub and point of entry to our city.
To keep up with the increasing travel demand and to accommodate airlines that are aspiring to add Austin to their regular routes (recent service additions include direct flights to Frankfurt, Germany), ABIA has been undergoing expansion.
The most recent project to be completed was the newly rehabilitated South Terminal, which opened on April 13. The terminal, which is separate from the main Barbara Jordan Terminal, currently serves Allegiant and Texas Sky airlines, with airport administrators expecting additional smaller, lower-priced carriers to follow.
Meanwhile, the airport is also undergoing a $350 million, nine-gate expansion at the east end of the main Barbara Jordan Terminal. This is expected to be complete in 2019. The terminal was originally designed to serve 11 million travelers annually but surpassed 12 million last year. The new gate additions will increase capacity to 15 million or 36%, which should be sufficient through at least 2025. The extension will also provide 19,000 square-feet of concessions, outbound baggage handling, airline offices and additional passenger amenities, including a large outdoor observation deck and pet spaces.
In addition, a new six-level parking garage that is currently under construction will provide 6,000 covered parking spaces. Located on what was previously Lot A, the new garage will be within walking distance of the Barbara Jordan Terminal. The project will also include new entry plazas to the parking lots and garages, as well as improvements to the north exit plaza to meet the increased use of the garages, and a new aviation administration building.
Outside of the main airport facility, a new ABIA Retail Center is also being built. This will include a retail/restaurant building and a convenience store, with 10 gas pumps, as well as a playground, public restrooms, Austin Energy electric vehicle fast charging stations and additional free cell phone parking spaces for those waiting to pick up passengers. The Retail Center will be adjacent to the Hyatt Place Austin Airport hotel.
Even though construction on these projects will be on-going for the next couple of years, just remember that it is all part of the effort to keep ABIA such a pleasant and convenient facility for Austinites and visitors alike.
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