Austin-Bergstrom Airport: Size, Scale, And Texas-Sized Ambitions

Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is located 5-7 miles from downtown Austin, Texas. It is owned and operated by the City of Austin and is one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States. The airport consists of 4,242 acres of land, with two terminals, two runways, and three helipads. While it may not be considered a big airport compared to other major airports in Texas, it is rapidly expanding to accommodate Austin's growing population and economic boom.

Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Characteristics

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport's location and size

Location and Size of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, also known as ABIA or AUS, is located about five to seven miles from downtown Austin, Texas. The airport can be reached via State Highways 71, 183, 45, and 130. The Barbara Jordan Terminal is located at 3600 Presidential Blvd, Austin, TX 78719.

The airport consists of 4,242 acres of land, with two terminals, two runways, and three helipads. The main terminal, the Barbara Jordan Terminal, has 34 gates and operates international carriers. The South Terminal, the smallest of the terminals, has three gates and low-cost domestic carriers Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines operate from this terminal.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States, serving over 70 nonstop domestic and international destinations. In 2022, the airport saw over 21 million passengers, with an average of 57,778 arriving and departing passengers daily. The airport is undergoing a major expansion to accommodate its rapid growth and increase its capacity to handle over 31 million passengers annually by 2040.

The airport's ongoing expansion plans

The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is undergoing a multi-year expansion and development program called 'Journey with AUS'. The program aims to meet the current and future needs of the growing region while enhancing the passenger experience. The airport is one of the fastest-growing in the United States, and the expansion plans are designed to accommodate this increasing demand.

A key component of the expansion is the $865 million terminal expansion project, which involves extending the Barbara Jordan Terminal by 370,500 square feet. This new structure, called the "Arrivals and Departures Hall" (A/D Hall), will serve as the primary pickup and drop-off point for passengers, complete with airline check-in counters, domestic baggage claim, and concessions. The A/D Hall is expected to be operational by 2029 and will be able to handle up to 43 million passengers per year.

Another significant aspect of the expansion is the addition of Concourse B, which will bring a minimum of 20 new gates to the airport, increasing the total number of gates to 54 or more. This new concourse has been in the planning stages for years and is part of the long-term "ABIA 2040 Master Plan", which aims to accommodate 30 million passengers annually by 2037. The concourse is expected to be operational by 2030 and will be connected to the Barbara Jordan Terminal by an underground pedestrian tunnel.

To support the airport's long-term passenger growth, a surface parking lot project is also underway. This project will be carried out in three phases and will ultimately provide approximately 1,400 parking spaces. The first 3,000 parking spaces are set to open in 2026, with the Yellow Garage following in 2027.

Additionally, the airport is constructing a new Central Utility Plant (CUP) to provide reliable heating and cooling for the expanding airport. This project includes new chilled and hot water hydronic piping, chillers, cooling towers, pumps, control systems, and utility connections. Construction on this project is estimated to begin in 2025.

The funding for these expansion projects comes from various sources, including airport cash reserves, current and future airport revenues, future revenue bond proceeds, and Federal Aviation Administration grants. The City of Austin has also authorized substantial funding, with $26.7 million allocated for engineering and architectural services and $320 million for pre-construction and construction services.

How many passengers does the airport serve?

The Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States. In 2024, the airport saw a total of 21,762,904 departing and arriving passengers, marking the second-busiest year on record for the airport. This was an increase of over 1 million passengers compared to the previous record set in 2022.

In December 2024, enplanements totaled 926,479, a slight increase of 0.65% compared to the previous year. The busiest airline at AUS in that month was Southwest Airlines, with 780,384 passengers, marking a 5.1% increase. Other popular airlines during that month included Delta Air Lines with 286,255 passengers, a notable increase of 25.6%, and United Airlines with 218,494 passengers, an 11.1% increase.

The airport has experienced significant growth in passenger numbers, with forecasts being met five years ahead of schedule. This growth has resulted in the need for expansion and development projects. The City of Austin has planned various construction projects, including a concourse connector, runway midfield taxi ways, a checkpoint 3 remodel, and a west gate expansion.

The airport is also investing an estimated $4 billion in the Journey with AUS expansion program, which includes modernizing and expanding the airport's facilities. Additionally, the airport is set to become the southern terminus of the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Blue Line light rail, further enhancing accessibility and connectivity.

The airport's history and ownership

The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is owned and operated by the City of Austin. The airport is not supported by the City's general fund, and its entire ongoing budget is paid for by the people and businesses that use it. Any revenue generated from the airport goes back into its operations.

The airport is named after Captain Bergstrom, the first native Austinite to be killed in action during World War II. In 1943, the Del Valle Airfield was renamed the Bergstrom Army Airfield at the urging of then U.S. House of Representatives member, Lyndon B. Johnson. When the Air Force became its own military branch in 1948, the base was renamed the Bergstrom Air Force Base.

The Bergstrom Air Force Base was decommissioned in the early 1990s, with all military aviation ceasing in 1995. City leaders had already been eyeing the site as a potential location for Austin's new and improved commercial airport. In 1991, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission selected the Bergstrom site for closure, and the city council decided to abandon the original plan to build a new airport near Manor. 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.

The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport opened to the public in 1999, and is one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States. The airport finalized a 20-year plan in 2019, and construction and expansion projects are currently underway.

Transport connections to and from the airport

The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is located about 9 miles from the JW Marriott Austin. The airport is easy to get to and offers convenient transport connections to and from the city.

Bus

The Capital Metro bus line connects the airport to the JW Marriott Austin. The Route 20 bus, operated by the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, departs from the arrivals level of the Barbara Jordan Terminal every 15 minutes. The bus stop is located on the lower level, just outside the baggage claim. The route takes passengers through the East Riverside Corridor to downtown Austin, the University of Texas at Austin, and Manor Road.

Shuttle

A shuttle bus service is available between the South Terminal and the Barbara Jordan Terminal, with pick-up and drop-off every 20 minutes.

Taxi

Taxi services are available from the airport to destinations in Austin. The average fare for a taxi from the airport to the JW Marriott Austin is $30 each way.

Rental Car

There are several rental car companies operating from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, including Hertz Rental Cars, located just 1 mile from the JW Marriott Austin.

Rail

The airport is planned to be the southern terminus of the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Blue Line light rail, which will run through downtown Austin and the University of Texas at Austin as far north as North Lamar/US183. The Blue Line construction is estimated to cost $1.3 billion and may be completed as early as 2029.

Frequently asked questions