AUSTIN | ABIA Updates

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by freerover

They rendered that out like 4 years ago during the master plan process. Still, that's not part of the current plan and would require another round of master planning and FAA approvals whenever we get there.

Does anyone still have that rendering? It's buried in one of the PDFS.

Iluvsat is correct. That statement was taken directly from the mouth of the airport authority's Chief Development Officer (as was stated).

Obviously, another Master Plan would need to be completed and approved. However, at least the authority is thinking ahead and "planning" for future expansions.

[freerover]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Iluvsat is correct. That statement was taken directly from the mouth of the airport authority's Chief Development Officer (as was stated).

Obviously, another Master Plan would need to be completed and approved. However, at least the authority is thinking ahead and "planning" for future expansions.

At no point did I come close to denying the statement was said. The point is that this has been the plan for years. Nothing has changed. If they port wasn't looking ahead, they wouldn't have rendered that far into the future rendering 4-5 years ago.

I also doubt it's obvious to most posters what was and was not included in the final master plan approved by the FAA.

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by freerover

At no point did I come close to denying the statement was said. The point is that this has been the plan for years. Nothing has changed. If they port wasn't looking ahead, they wouldn't have rendered that far into the future rendering 4-5 years ago.

I also doubt it's obvious to most posters what was and was not included in the final master plan approved by the FAA.

Freeover, it's not really fair to assume everyone has your knowledge of these plans. As you state - the vision's "renderings" were produced 4-5 years ago.

It seemed that he/she was excited to hear the airport is already planning beyond the current expansion.

[freerover]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Freeover, it's not really fair to assume everyone has your knowledge of these plans. As you state - the vision's "renderings" were produced 4-5 years ago.

It seemed that he/she was excited to hear the airport is already planning beyond the current expansion.

oh my god. Fine, whatever. Does anyone have a copy of that rendering? I only saw it used once.

[WestAustinite]

Originally Posted by freerover

oh my god. Fine, whatever. Does anyone have a copy of that rendering? I only saw it used once.

Found this small image....

https://in.pinterest.com/pin/113293746868902114/

[freerover]

Originally Posted by WestAustinite

Found this small image....

https://in.pinterest.com/pin/113293746868902114/

Na, it was a 3rd rendering. I'll try to dig it up tonight.

[Tyrone Shoes]

Delta Air Lines is set to connect Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)

"...Of the new routes, just one is from a focus city: Austin (to Palm Springs). Delta will be the only airline operating this route, after American pulled out of the market in May 2024... "
https://thepointsguy.com/news/delta-new-point-to-point-routes/

[gillynova]

Good for Coachella people too

[WesternSon]

Originally Posted by gillynova

Good for Coachella people too

Eh not really, as it will operate seasonally on Saturdays only through April 11, 2026. So it would actually only get you there saturday for W1 or a full week before.

[gillynova]

Damn

It was tough for me to plan out Coachella this year with my friends because the flights directly were VERY expensive. My gf and I planned a San Diego trip instead but ultimately full sended a Coachella experience for a day since we were just 2 hours away haha

[WestAustinite]

Originally Posted by freerover

Na, it was a 3rd rendering. I'll try to dig it up tonight.

How's that search coming along?

[enragedcamel]

Originally Posted by Airwave Dynamics

FYI
Nathan Bernier
@KUTnathan
how to find the only outdoor space at ABIA that’s past TSA screening, a big patio that reopened to the public yesterday
https://x.com/KUTnathan/status/1915108630086508819

Not sure why anyone would want to be on an outdoor patio at an airport, of all places, since the air quality will be exceptionally bad with all the planes taking off and landing in the vicinity.

If you value your health, stay indoors where the HVAC filters remove at least some of the particulates.

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by enragedcamel

Not sure why anyone would want to be on an outdoor patio at an airport, of all places, since the air quality will be exceptionally bad with all the planes taking off and landing in the vicinity.

If you value your health, stay indoors where the HVAC filters remove at least some of the particulates.

If the air quality is already bad, then what harm would there be to allow smoking?

[enragedcamel]

Originally Posted by the Genral

If the air quality is already bad, then what harm would there be to allow smoking?

Sorry, I'm not following the reasoning.

[chinchaaa]

Originally Posted by the Genral

If the air quality is already bad, then what harm would there be to allow smoking?

great thought process here. really smart.

[IluvATX]

Originally Posted by chinchaaa

great thought process here. really smart.

Plenty of other airports even in the US have smoking terraces.

[chinchaaa]

Originally Posted by IluvATX

Plenty of other airports even in the US have smoking terraces.

i'm aware

[IluvATX]

Originally Posted by chinchaaa

i'm aware

Are you? What else would be the point of an airside terrace?

[freerover]

Originally Posted by WestAustinite

How's that search coming along?

Not great. I know it was posted in this thread but it's a nightmare looking for it given how few posts show up per page. I might just email the port.

[Chiveman]

Page 99 in this thread.

Originally Posted by DoubleC

Unfortunately that's what I keep seeing. It'd be a shame if they do that; it would destroy the identity of the terminal, plus think of the lost gates during construction. Why not start fresh with a new terminal to the South? Plus, the piers would be built in more phases. Meaning they'd build 2 piers, and then they would have to close down the pier ends yet again for more expansion like they would with the current terminal's East end.

If they do go forth with the double-pier expansion, there would be no new South terminal, since this concept design does not include it. Plus, I'm not sure if there would be space for it (actually, if they can fit 2 mid-field concourses, I'm sure they can accommodate a South terminal). I don't even know if there would be enough room for further expansion with the piers jabbing far into the middle of the airport. The midfield concourses wouldn't be able to exist.

They're not doing themselves a favor.

You can find the concept designs here:

https://www.austintexas.gov/page/airport-master-plan

Edit: I decided to paste parts of the concept designs together to see if any further expansion was possible, and there is definitely plenty of room left. The control tower would have to be demolished and relocated in the following cases.

In this "fantasy" design, a South terminal is built, along with one midfield concourse. I expanded the South terminal concourse to the same span as the BBJ terminal, since it is likely they will do this eventually to increase capacity. I count 122 gates.


This is the ultimate KAUS master plan (what they would build according to their previous evaluations). Although the number of gates may vary due to larger gates for widebodies, I count 138 gates.


A stunning design, and the BBJ terminal would only undergo one expansion, as opposed to a multitude of times. This is eye-candy to me.

Another thought, with over 100 gates, the airport would probably be a class B airport at the time, and the general aviation lot may be removed for further expansion, relocating GA to a hypothetical new airport.

2nd Edit: I didn't take into account aircraft parking. I'm not sure where parking would be located in either design.