Austin Bergstrom Airport: Size, Scale, And Scope

Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States. It is owned and operated by the City of Austin and is located on the site of the former Bergstrom Air Force Base, which was decommissioned in the early 1990s. The airport opened to the public on May 23, 1999, with a 12,250-foot runway, one of the nation's longest commercial runways. The airport has been undergoing a major expansion program, Journey With AUS, to accommodate the increasing demand for travel. The expansion includes the addition of new gates, a baggage handling system, and improved TSA checkpoints.

The airport's history

Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA/AUS) is one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States. It is owned and operated by the City of Austin and is not supported by the City's general fund. The airport is named after Captain John August Earl Bergstrom, a reservist in the 19th Bombardment Group, who was the first native Austinite to be killed in action during World War II.

The airport stands on the foundations of the former Bergstrom Air Force Base, which was decommissioned in the early 1990s. The base was originally established as Del Valle Airfield in September 1942 on 3,000 acres of land leased from the City of Austin. In March 1943, it was renamed the Bergstrom Army Airfield. With the separation of the United States Air Force and Army in 1947-1948, the base was renamed Bergstrom Air Force Base.

As Austin was quickly outgrowing the old Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, the city began considering options for a new airport as early as 1971. The original plan was to build a new airport near Manor, but this idea was rejected due to concerns about the environmental impact. In 1976, the city proposed joint use of Bergstrom Air Force Base with the United States Air Force, but this proposal was rejected in 1978. In 1987, voters approved a referendum designating the Manor site for the new airport, but this plan was also abandoned in 1991 when the Base Realignment and Closure Commission selected Bergstrom for closure.

The City of Austin hired John Almond, a civil engineer, as Project Director for the new $585 million airport. The issue of a $400 million bond referendum for the new airport was put to a public vote in May 1993 and was approved by 63% of the vote. Groundbreaking for the new airport began in November 1994, and construction on the air traffic control tower began in October 1995. Austin–Bergstrom International Airport finally opened to the public on May 23, 1999, with a 12,250-foot runway, one of the nation's longest commercial runways. The Barbara Jordan passenger terminal was originally conceived as an 18-gate terminal but was expanded during construction to have 24 contact gates and one gate without a jet bridge.

Terminals and gates

The Austin–Bergstrom International Airport has two terminals: the Barbara Jordan Terminal and the South Terminal. The former is the primary hub, with 34 gates, including six international gates. The South Terminal is smaller and caters primarily to ultra-low-cost carriers like Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines. It has tarmac access to aircraft only. The two terminals are located around eight miles apart by road, and passengers can ride a shuttle bus between them, which takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

The Barbara Jordan Terminal has a seamless flow from ticketing to security to departures, with everything easily accessible. Most of the dining and shopping options are located within the secure gate areas, making them convenient for passengers who have passed through security. The terminal also has two checkpoints on the east side (upper and lower levels) and one on the west side (upper level). TSA PreCheck lanes are available at these checkpoints. There are also two private rooms/pods for nursing or pumping, a mother's lounge near Gate 11, and a pet relief area near Gate 9.

The South Terminal has quirky decor, an outdoor patio with a taco food truck, and a selection of grab-and-go food options. Allegiant and Frontier travellers are encouraged to park in the South Terminal's parking lot. The terminal is scheduled for demolition as part of the airport's expansion plan, "Journey With AUS", to accommodate the rapid growth in travel demand.

The airport is currently undergoing a major expansion, with the recent completion of structural steel installation for the West Infill project and the construction of two new concrete parallel midfield taxiways. The East Concourse is also being expanded to accommodate nine new gates.

Runway length

The runway at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA/AUS) is 12,250 feet (3,730 m) long, making it one of the longest commercial runways in the United States. The airport, which was built on the site of the former Bergstrom Air Force Base, first opened to the public on May 23, 1999, with this single runway. Since then, the airport has undergone significant expansion, including the addition of multiple new gates and jet bridges, and it is currently undergoing further expansion to accommodate the rapid growth in travel demand.

The history of the site on which Austin-Bergstrom International Airport stands dates back to the 1940s. The Del Valle Airfield, which was activated in 1942, was renamed the Bergstrom Army Airfield in March 1943, in honour of Captain John August Earl Bergstrom, the first native Austinite to be killed in action during World War II. The name was changed again to Bergstrom Air Force Base in 1947 or 1948, when the Air Force became a separate branch of the military. This name was used until the base was decommissioned in the early 1990s, with all military aviation ceasing in 1995.

The construction of a new airport on the site of the former Bergstrom Air Force Base was the result of the rapid growth of the city of Austin, which had outgrown its previous airport, Robert Mueller Municipal Airport. The city began considering options for a new airport as early as 1971, and the decision to build on the Bergstrom site was made in the 1990s. The new airport was projected to cost $585 million, and construction began in November 1994, with the old tower being demolished and a new primary building constructed.

The airport is owned and operated by the City of Austin and is one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States. It is an important economic hub for Central Texas, providing over 74,000 direct and indirect jobs in the region. The airport has a 20-year plan, finalized in 2019, which includes the construction of a new 20+ gate concourse and other improvements funded by federal grants. The airport is also committed to sustainability, with its first LEED Silver building constructed in 2011 and a nine-gate terminal expansion in 2019 achieving LEED Gold status.

Construction and expansion

Construction of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) began in November 1994, after the City of Austin hired John Almond, a civil engineer, as Project Director for the new $585 million airport. The airport was built on the foundations of the Bergstrom Air Force Base, which was decommissioned in the early 1990s. The base was named after Captain John August Earl Bergstrom, the first native Austinite to be killed in action during World War II.

The Barbara Jordan passenger terminal was originally designed as an 18-gate terminal facility with a footprint of just over 500,000 square feet (46,000 m2). However, during construction, the airport was expanded to include 24 contact gates with jet bridges (Gate 2-Gate 25) and one gate without a jet bridge (Gate 1), bringing its total footprint to 660,000 square feet. The terminal reused a building from the Bergstrom Air Force Base, adding outdoor waiting areas and a food truck retail area. The airport opened to the public on May 23, 1999, with a 12,250-foot (3,730 m) runway, one of the nation's longest commercial runways.

Since its opening, the airport has undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate the rapid growth in travel demand. In 2011, a new rental car facility was constructed, achieving LEED Silver certification. In 2019, the airport completed a nine-gate terminal expansion that achieved LEED Gold for New Construction, with a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. This expansion included the addition of an overhead international flight corridor, an observation deck, and pet spaces. The airport also finalized a 20-year master plan in 2019, demonstrating its commitment to long-term development.

Currently, the airport is undergoing a major expansion program, "Journey With AUS," which includes the construction of two new concrete parallel midfield taxiways and a new mezzanine level with amenities for travellers. The expansion will also add three new gates, improve baggage handling systems, and enhance TSA checkpoints in the Barbara Jordan Terminal. After this phase, construction will begin on Midfield Concourse B, adding 10+ new gates and an underground connection tunnel. The expansion is expected to be completed by 2028, ensuring that the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport can meet the growing travel demands of the Central Texas region.

Transport to and from the airport

Transport to and from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA/AUS) is owned and operated by the City of Austin. The airport provides an up-to-date list of shuttles, limousines, rental car companies, taxis and charter vehicles available in Austin.

By Bus

CapMetro, Austin's public transportation provider, offers an inexpensive and reliable bus service to and from the airport. The MetroAirport Flyer offers a quick 25-minute ride to the airport from downtown and the University of Texas at Austin. The bus service operates high-frequency Route 20 Manor Road/Riverside, which starts at the airport and heads downtown via the University of Texas campus. Route 20 operates every 15 minutes, 7 days a week.

By Car

There are a number of parking options available at the airport, including the Economy Lot and two parking garages. On-site parking is managed by ABIA Parking. The Barbara Jordan Terminal cell phone lot is available 24/7 for drivers waiting to pick up arriving passengers and is located at 2901 Spirit of Texas Drive.

By Taxi

A list of taxi companies is available on the airport website.

By Shuttle

A list of shuttle companies is available on the airport website.

By Rental Car

A list of rental car companies is available on the airport website.

By Limousine

A list of limousine companies is available on the airport website.

By Charter Vehicle

A list of charter vehicle companies is available on the airport website.

Frequently asked questions