AUSTIN | ABIA Updates

[freerover]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

I haven't been through is quite a while, but, it is my understanding that in addition to the baggage handling upgrade, AUS is also going to be (FINALLY) getting more TSA & customs agents. When, I do not know.

I believe current processing capacity is roughly 600-700 passengers per hour. Obviously, they need that increased ASAP.

The west infill project recently had its scope expanded to increase the future security capacity.


• Previous design only allowed for four Security Checkpoint lanes. Phase 2 will add six to eight.
• Design directive revised to increase Security Screening Checkpoint capacity.
• Baggage and Apron level footprint increased to match Concourse level.
• Checkpoint 2 West being expanded to accept existing Checkpoint 3 lanes to maintain level of service during construction.
• Includes additional ticket counters.
• West infill design also increased to include
revenue generating space.

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by freerover

The west infill project recently had its scope expanded to increase the future security capacity.


• Previous design only allowed for four Security Checkpoint lanes. Phase 2 will add six to eight.
• Design directive revised to increase Security Screening Checkpoint capacity.
• Baggage and Apron level footprint increased to match Concourse level.
• Checkpoint 2 West being expanded to accept existing Checkpoint 3 lanes to maintain level of service during construction.
• Includes additional ticket counters.
• West infill design also increased to include
revenue generating space.

Thanks, Freerover. That's great news. However, I was speaking about international arrivals.

The West Infill project is long overdue - but, it will not affect the current challenges facing international arrivals.

[ATX2030]

From 8/9/23 AAC

https://services.austintexas.gov/edi....cfm?id=413031

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by ATX2030

From 8/9/23 AAC

https://services.austintexas.gov/edi....cfm?id=413031

Awesome! Thank you for posting.

WOW! The new ~$240 million baggage handling system upgrades will have a capacity of 30 million PAX. It will be obsolete within 2-3 years of it becoming fully operational (assuming roughly 5% annual growth).

[the Genral]

ABIA is the 20th largest airport in the US at 6.64 square miles.
I know many of you have been losing sleep for wondering.

[gillynova]

I've been traveling a lot this year and I cannot WAIT for Austin to have an expansion and better roadway for departure and arrival. Wish they can just start NOW

[ATX2030]

delete

[ATX2030]

Proposal could expedite development at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Prepare for takeoff, builders

By Mike Christen – Staff Writer, Austin Business Journal
Aug 24, 2023

Austin City Council will soon consider a change that would expedite the expansion of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

The city's department of aviation proposed an update to the master development ordinance for the airport that would allow the 4,242-acre property to be considered as a single site. This would streamline the expansion process that is expected to result in a new midfield concourse being built with up to 10 gates over the next decade-plus.

The Austin Planning Commission on Aug. 22 unanimously voted to recommend the update and added momentum to the request that Austin City Council will consider at its Aug. 31 meeting. The proposal is part of the city's update of the master development ordinance, which is required every 10 years.

Keith Mars, the assistant director of Austin’s development services department, said the update would allow the city to operate the airport under a single site plan, enabling changes to be made “holistically” to meet the airport’s needs – a move brought on by friction caused by the city's current land development code.

"It allows us to look at the site comprehensively,” Mars said. “And then also, it allows us an opportunity to treat this as a system, so that on a regulatory and entitlement front, we can go slow with an ordinance so than when it comes time to construct, we the city can go quickly with envisioning with what the airport is intended to be... and streamlining that process as best we can.”

If approved, the updated ordinance would apply to all facilities constructed at ABIA, including those from third parties. That would create an enticing opportunity for airlines in need of a new maintenance facility or an operating base for a parcel delivery service.

It also allows for the city to move forward with work tied to contaminated buildings that date back to the site's use as an Air Force base prior to its transition as a commercial airport in 1999.

The recommendation marks a step in the city’s plan to fast-track improvements and expansions at the facility, which is considered a major hub of economic activity in Austin. More than 60 total projects are laid out in the airport's 2040 Master Plan, including the addition of three gates on the west end of the main Barbara Jordan Terminal.

“Anyone who has traveled and used our airport realizes that we need to get some of this work done,” said Awais Azhar, the planning commissioner who moved to recommend the request. “I think it is critical for our community.”

Somer Shindler, the airport’s chief development officer, said the plan will also allow the city to pursue innovative measures for water conservation.

“There are parts of an airport that sometimes go against some of the missions of water protection, so we wanted to look at the campus as a whole,” Shindler said. “Where we can’t meet [those missions] we want to exceed in other areas.”

Liz Johnston, an environmental program coordinator with the city’s watershed protection department, added that the entire department is dedicated to working with the aviation department to identify areas on the site that can be used for additional water treatment.

The proposed update also follows the end of a lawsuit tied to an eminent domain case with Lone Star Holdings LLC, the independent operators of the South Terminal which is set to be demolished to make way for intrastate to support the planned second concourse.

[drummer]

Well how 'bout that. Creative thinking isn't entirely dead yet. Glad to see efforts to speed things up.

[gabetx]

Once again, July was the busiest month for ABIA ever. . 2,040,981 passengers flew through the airport.

[ski-man]

Before this past Friday, almost all of the times I have come thru ABIA is early morning or late night. Friday I was at the terminal in the afternoon/evening hours and I could not believe how crowded it was. I can see the airport breaking its own passenger records.

[gillynova]

Also I forgot if it was mentioned but ABIA has brand new x-ray machines for TSA. They look REALLY expensive

[ILUVSAT]

Originally Posted by ski-man

I can see the airport breaking its own passenger records.

I believe AUS is already on track to hit roughly 23 million passengers in 2023 (or almost 2 million more than 2022).

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by ILUVSAT

I believe AUS is already on track to hit roughly 23 million passengers in 2023 (or almost 2 million more than 2022).

Thank goodness that we're getting 3 whole new gates years from now to absorb that increase.

[texboy]

Originally Posted by the Genral

Thank goodness that we're getting 3 whole new gates years from now to absorb that increase.

I'm wondering how AUS is going to be able to hang on for another 5 to 7 years before concourse B is complete... Every time I fly in to Austin, its unbelievably crowded. The 3 new gates will allow the airport to take down 3 gates for the construction of the underground tunnel to the new concourse. Yikes!

[gillynova]

It's going to be pretty funky for sure. I already anticipate 40k passenger days as a norm

[ILUVSAT]

Originally Posted by texboy

I'm wondering how AUS is going to be able to hang on for another 5 to 7 years before concourse B is complete... Every time I fly in to Austin, its unbelievably crowded. The 3 new gates will allow the airport to take down 3 gates for the construction of the underground tunnel to the new concourse. Yikes!

Someone with better knowledge could chime-in here - but, I believe they are currently redeveloping Gate 13 into a bus gate which can serve 6+ aircraft on the apron.

On a side note, I heard that Lufthansa is increasing its weekly frequency to AUS from FRA.

[ATX2030]

Originally Posted by ILUVSAT

Someone with better knowledge could chime-in here - but, I believe they are currently redeveloping Gate 13 into a bus gate which can serve 6+ aircraft on the apron.

The latest I've heard is that gate 13 will be used for diversions only. The hold room can accommodate maybe 150 passengers.

Gate 11 was supposed to be the boarding area for the hardstand ops but I haven't heard anything about that project lately.

This is from 2 years ago.....

https://simpleflying.com/austin-airport-expansion/

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by ATX2030

The latest I've heard is that gate 13 will be used for diversions only. The hold room can accommodate maybe 150 passengers.

Gate 11 was supposed to be the boarding area for the hardstand ops but I haven't heard anything about that project lately.

This is from 2 years ago.....

https://simpleflying.com/austin-airport-expansion/

Gate 11 is a jetbridged gate used, I believe, by Alaska. Delta and Spirit had used it in the past.

Gate 13 is going to be used as the hardstand gate. I don't know where they are in that conversion, however.

[freerover]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Gate 11 is a jetbridged gate used, I believe, by Alaska. Delta and Spirit had used it in the past.

Gate 13 is going to be used as the hardstand gate. I don't know where they are in that conversion, however.

I think it would be tough for AUS to pivot away from the bus gates with the pending closure of the South Terminal and the years away the west terminal extension is. The monthly updates for that project are usually about various delays but it's suppose to be done this year.