Owais Crawford
Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, also known by the IATA code AUS and ICAO code KAUS, is an international airport serving the Greater Austin metropolitan area in Texas, United States. The airport is located about 5 miles southeast of downtown Austin and is one of the fastest-growing airports in the country. With a variety of ongoing and upcoming construction projects, Austin–Bergstrom International Airport is a significant economic hub for Central Texas, providing a large number of direct and indirect job opportunities in the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Austin–Bergstrom International Airport |
| IATA Code | AUS |
| ICAO Code | KAUS |
| FAA LID | AUS |
| Previous Code | BSM |
| Owner | City of Austin |
| Location | 5 miles/8km from downtown Austin |
| Area | 4,242 acres/1,717 ha |
| Runways | 2 |
| Helipads | 3 |
| Terminals | Barbara Jordan Terminal, South Terminal |
| Annual Travellers | 22 million |
| Ranking | #10 Best Airport in the U.S. by Condé Nast Readers’ Choice |
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What You'll Learn
The airport's history and former name
The airport code for Austin, Texas, is AUS. Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, or ABIA, is located about 5 miles (8 km; 4 nmi) southeast of downtown Austin, covering 4,242 acres (1,717 ha). The airport has two runways and three helipads and is one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States.
History and Former Name
Austin–Bergstrom International Airport was built on the site of what was once Bergstrom Air Force Base. The base was named after Captain John August Earl Bergstrom, an officer who was the first person from Austin to be killed in World War II. Bergstrom Air Force Base was decommissioned in the early 1990s, and the land was reverted to the city of Austin.
The history of the airport began in the late 1920s when the Austin City Council requested that the Army identify a suitable site for a municipal airport. The Del Valle Airfield, activated on September 19, 1942, was renamed the Bergstrom Army Airfield in March 1943 in honour of Captain Bergstrom. With the separation of the US Air Force and Army in 1947, the name changed to Bergstrom Air Force Base.
In the 1970s, issues with the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, such as congestion and plane crashes, led the city to consider building a new airport. The Robert Mueller Municipal Airport had begun operations in October 1930 and was named after Robert Mueller, a city commissioner who died in office in 1927. By 1931, three airlines served the airport, and during World War II, it was busy, with commercial flights, private pilots, and students in the Civilian Pilot Training Program.
In 1991, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission selected Bergstrom for closure, and the city council decided to move the airport to this site. Construction on the new airport began in 1995, and the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport opened in 1999, carrying on the legacy of Bergstrom Air Force Base. The airport's IATA code, AUS, was previously used by the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport until its closure in 1999.
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Its location and distance from Austin's downtown
The airport code for Austin, Texas, is AUS, which stands for Austin–Bergstrom International Airport. The airport is located about 5 miles (or 8 kilometres) southeast of downtown Austin. The road distance between the airport and downtown Austin is 7.8 miles, or 12 miles depending on the source. However, one source states that the distance is 16 miles (26 kilometres).
There are several ways to travel from Austin Airport to downtown Austin. One option is to take a taxi or airport transfer service. This is the quickest option, taking around 15 to 20 minutes to reach downtown. Taxis can be found behind the Red Garage, and the average cost is $33 during the day, with prices increasing by up to 50% at night. Airport transfers can be booked in advance, and offer features such as child seats and English-speaking drivers.
Another option is to take the Line 20 bus, which takes around 25 to 35 minutes to reach downtown. This is a budget-friendly option, with tickets costing as little as $1. However, it is important to note that there is no direct bus service from the airport to downtown, and transfers may be required. The bus departs from the lower level of the Barbara Jordan Terminal and arrives at 5902 Riverside/Grove station in downtown.
Finally, there are plans underway to introduce a light rail service from the airport to downtown Austin as part of the Project Connect plan. This service is estimated to cost $1.3 billion and may be completed by 2029.
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The airport's ownership and management
The Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, or ABIA, is located about 5 miles southeast of downtown Austin, Texas. The airport is named after Captain John August Earl Bergstrom, the first person from Austin to be killed in World War II. It covers 4,242 acres of land, featuring two runways and three helipads, and serves the Greater Austin metropolitan area.
The airport is owned by the city of Austin. It was built on the site of the former Bergstrom Air Force Base, which was decommissioned in the early 1990s. The land reverted to the city, which used it to replace the outdated Robert Mueller Municipal Airport as Austin's main airport in May 1999.
The city of Austin has been actively involved in the airport's development and management. In the 1970s, as Austin was outgrowing the old municipal airport, the city proposed building a joint regional airport with San Antonio, which was rejected by the Austin community. Subsequently, the city approached the US Air Force about the possibility of joint use of Bergstrom Air Force Base, but this proposal was also turned down. In the late 1980s, the city began acquiring land near Manor for a new airport, facing opposition from environmental groups.
Today, the city of Austin continues to manage and develop the airport infrastructure. There are ongoing construction projects, including expansions and improvements to the Barbara Jordan Terminal and the airport property. The city is also planning to integrate the airport with the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Blue Line light rail, enhancing connectivity to downtown Austin and the University of Texas.
In addition to Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, Austin also has a general aviation airport called Austin Executive Airport. This airport is owned and developed by entrepreneur and pilot Ron W. Henriksen, who invested $33 million of his own money to build it. The airport features a 6,025-foot runway and is consistently ranked as a top Fixed Base Operator (FBO) facility in Texas.
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Ongoing and future construction projects
The airport code for Austin, Texas, is AUS, which stands for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The airport is currently undergoing several construction projects, with more planned for the future, as part of its Journey With AUS expansion and development program.
Ongoing Construction Projects
- The West Infill, the new Outbound Baggage Handling System, and a TSA Checkpoint 3 Expansion: From December 2024 through to the summer of 2025, a stairway providing access to airline clubs on the AUS mezzanine level was removed during construction to expand TSA.
- Federal Inspection Services (FIS) Improvements: Starting in August 2024, and estimated to be completed in spring 2025, new baggage carousels, more queuing space, and processing booths will be added to speed up the international arrivals process.
- Concourse B and a new subgrade tunnel: The tunnel will connect the Barbara Jordan Terminal with the new Concourse B, with the potential for expansion to a new Concourse C. The tunnel will include a passenger conveyance system, as well as space for baggage handling, utilities, and mechanical and electrical rooms.
- Two new parallel taxiways and several smaller connector taxiways to support Concourse B: This project also includes two bridges under the taxiways to improve airfield support services, improved airfield lighting, signage, and a new taxi route for low-visibility conditions.
- A new flexible cargo facility with airside access: This project is substantially complete.
- A second airplane fuel facility: This project is also substantially complete, with the facility beginning operations in 2024.
Future Construction Projects
- A concourse connector, runway midfield taxiways, checkpoint 3 remodel, and a west gate expansion.
- The airport is planned to be the southern terminus of the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Blue Line light rail, which will run through the East Riverside Corridor to Downtown Austin and the University of Texas at Austin as far north as North Lamar/US183. The construction costs are estimated at $1.3 billion, with a potential completion date of 2029.
- The airport finalized a 20-year plan in 2019, with the full plan available on the AUS 2040 Master Plan webpage.
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The airport's ranking and reputation
The airport code for Austin, Texas, is AUS. Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, also known as ABIA, is located about 5 miles (8 km) southeast of downtown Austin. It covers 4,242 acres (1,717 ha) and has two runways and three helipads.
The Airports Ranking and Reputation
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States. In 2023, it saw upwards of 22 million travellers, making it the third busiest airport in Texas and the 27th busiest in the country by passenger traffic. In an annual ranking of mid-sized airports by the Wall Street Journal, Austin-Bergstrom ranked 28th in the nation. The ranking was based on 30 metrics related to reliability and convenience, with the airport scoring lowest in reliability.
Passengers’ rights company AirHelp ranked Austin-Bergstrom as the 10th best airport in the United States and 44th globally. Their ranking considered three main factors: on-time performance, customer opinion, and food and shops. Local dining options range from Tex-Mex to classic Texas barbecue.
The airport has been praised by travellers for its food, ease of navigation, and overall experience. However, it has also faced challenges, including near collisions, employee deaths, and federal calls for safety improvements.
The City of Austin, which owns and operates the airport, has undertaken various construction projects to enhance the facility. These include plans for a concourse connector, runway midfield taxi ways, checkpoint remodelling, and a west gate expansion. The airport is also envisioned to be the southern terminus of the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Blue Line light rail, connecting it to Downtown Austin and the University of Texas.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport code for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is AUS.
AUS is the IATA code for the airport. The ICAO code is KAUS.
The address for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is 3600 Presidential Blvd, Austin, TX 78719.
