AUSTIN | ABIA Updates - Page 464

GoldenBoot · #**9261** Posted **Aug 22, 2025, 8:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATX2030

Any hints? Sun destination or possibly long-haul?

Ha. Unfortunately, no hints.

My DL source has been pretty tight lipped about news of late (but, is quite enthusiastic about the future). Things are speeding up - but, she cannot divulge anything else at this time. Ughhhhh.

ATX2030 · #**9262** Posted **Aug 22, 2025, 9:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Ha. Unfortunately, no hints.

My DL source has been pretty tight lipped about news of late (but, is quite enthusiastic about the future). Things are speeding up - but, she cannot divulge anything else at this time. Ughhhhh.

No worries. Exciting times indeed!

ATX2030 · #**9263** Posted **Aug 23, 2025, 1:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Ha. Unfortunately, no hints.

My DL source has been pretty tight lipped about news of late (but, is quite enthusiastic about the future). Things are speeding up - but, she cannot divulge anything else at this time. Ughhhhh.

Rumors of DL to CDG are starting to circulate.....

ILUVSAT · #**9264** Posted **Aug 23, 2025, 4:20 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATX2030

Rumors of DL to CDG are starting to circulate.....

That would be big news - as Paris is high on the international unserved target list for AUS.

I wonder if DL would initiate that route or their partner, Air France?!?

Mikey711MN · #**9265** Posted **Aug 23, 2025, 5:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATX2030

Rumors of DL to CDG are starting to circulate.....

I could certainly envision some sort of split between KL AMS and AF CDG for at least 1x daily SkyTeam connections in Europe.

BA's 2x daily through next summer suggests that TATL demand remains high from/to AUS.

ILUVSAT · #**9266** Posted **Aug 23, 2025, 7:09 PM**

...and if DL does start using AUS as more of a connective airport (hub), then demand could be higher with transferring passengers.

WesternSon · #**9267** Posted **Aug 24, 2025, 4:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikey711MN

I could certainly envision some sort of split between KL AMS and AF CDG for at least 1x daily SkyTeam connections in Europe.

BA's 2x daily through next summer suggests that TATL demand remains high from/to AUS.

Excellent points by both of you. Skyteam has to be looking at those BA connections numbers and think they can undercut them at CDG. Also, KLM can't really add too many more flights at AMS in the high season I believe.

It will be interesting to see if they use the A330 or the 767.

ILUVSAT · #**9268** Posted **Aug 24, 2025, 6:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WesternSon

Excellent points by both of you. Skyteam has to be looking at those BA connections numbers and think they can undercut them at CDG. Also, KLM can't really add too many more flights at AMS in the high season I believe.

It will be interesting to see if they use the A330 or the 767.

TATL flights out of AUS are a premium product. Thus, I doubt DL would use one of their B767s on a CDG route (if it happens). If I am not mistaken, DL is slowly getting rid of their B767 equipment in favor of new, more efficient, A330s and A350s - as their B767 fleet is old.

I'd love to see one of AF's new A359s on the route.

Regarding KLM and AMS...there are no options to add more flights. The Dutch government is still decreasing slots at Schiphol - so, adding flights is not going to happen for some time. They want to eliminate more than 22,000 flights in 2025 alone.

Lobotomizer · #**9269** Posted **Aug 24, 2025, 9:30 PM**

Quote:

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) has announced that Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) will lead the design of its new Arrivals and Departures Hall, working in collaboration with local practices Michael Hsu Office of Architecture and McKinney York Architects. Conceived as the airport's new "front door," the multistory facility will consolidate ticketing, security, baggage claim, and concessions while introducing expanded circulation areas and enhanced curbside access.

https://www.archdaily.com/1033364/from-a...irports-cities-and-cultural-destinations

Mikey711MN · #**9270** Posted **Aug 25, 2025, 2:37 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILUVSAT

Regarding KLM and AMS...there are no options to add more flights. The Dutch government is still decreasing slots at Schiphol - so, adding flights is not going to happen for some time. They want to eliminate more than 22,000 flights in 2025 alone.

Agree with you completely. That is precisely my thinking as to why the AF-KLM Group would put AF metal on a less than daily route to CDG before we'd see even a daily KLM flight.

Each of those airports offer incredibly diverse connecting opportunities, which is something I think BA has really tapped into. But the big driver to any TATL service is strong O&D, which AUS still seems to bring.

As it were, this wouldn't be the first time AUS had nonstop service to CDG. Anyone else remember Norwegian's short-lived couple-times-per-week route?

GoldenBoot · #**9271** Posted **Aug 25, 2025, 3:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikey711MN

Agree with you completely. That is precisely my thinking as to why the AF-KLM Group would put AF metal on a less than daily route to CDG before we'd see even a daily KLM flight.

Each of those airports offer incredibly diverse connecting opportunities, which is something I think BA has really tapped into. But the big driver to any TATL service is strong O&D, which AUS still seems to bring.

As it were, this wouldn't be the first time AUS had nonstop service to CDG. Anyone else remember Norwegian's short-lived couple-times-per-week route?

Yep. You cannot increase the KLM frequency if there are not slots available - even if they wanted to.

As for AUS-CDG...that flight never got off the ground. It was to have commenced in May 2020. Norwegian soon thereafter ceased all long-haul routes.

GoldenBoot · #**9272** Posted **Aug 25, 2025, 3:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lobotomizer

https://www.archdaily.com/1033364/from-a...irports-cities-and-cultural-destinations

I thought SOM has been tied to this project for some time now. They have been listed in several AUS aviation documents and presentations over the past year or two (at least).

ILUVSAT · #**9273** Posted **Aug 25, 2025, 4:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikey711MN

...the big driver to any TATL service is strong O&D...

While this statement is true, it is not the end-all-be-all (for all international traffic). For smaller airports, yes, O&D is more important. But, as an airport grows and offers more connecting flights, the overall importance of O&D declines. This decline is supplemented (and surpassed) by connecting passengers.

Mikey711MN · #**9274** Posted **Aug 25, 2025, 8:19 PM**

For those of you who had Cayman Airways on your new AUS airline list, come up to claim your prize!

AUS-GCM 1x weekly starting 5/30/26

Source: https://airlinegeeks.com/2025/08/25/cayman-airways-adds-sixth-u-s-city/

ILUVSAT · #**9275** Posted **Aug 25, 2025, 9:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikey711MN

For those of you who had Cayman Airways on your new AUS airline list, come up to claim your prize!

AUS-GCM 1x weekly starting 5/30/26

Source: https://airlinegeeks.com/2025/08/25/cayman-airways-adds-sixth-u-s-city/

WOW! That's pretty cool.

On another note:
"Bob Jordan, CEO of Southwest Airlines Co., said the Dallas-based company aims to continue growing its operations in Austin — with plans that eventually could make ABIA its busiest airport in Texas."

They plan on going from 130 flights a day to "well over 200."

Southwest's plans "could include more international long-haul flights and an increase in airline partnerships that Southwest operates out of Austin. Jordan also said ABIA’s expansion might make it feasible for the airline to add a passenger lounge in the planned new concourse."

And, if I am not mistaken, there is a ~28,000 SF space available in the new concourse for a lounge (above the tunnel entrance/exit).

LoneStarMike · #**9276** Posted **Aug 26, 2025, 1:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILUVSAT

On another note:
"Bob Jordan, CEO of Southwest Airlines Co., said the Dallas-based company aims to continue growing its operations in Austin — with plans that eventually could make ABIA its busiest airport in Texas."

Here 's the archived article (no paywall) from the Austin Business Journal:

Southwest Airlines outlines big plans in Austin

Lobotomizer · #**9277** Posted **Aug 26, 2025, 2:48 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

I thought SOM has been tied to this project for some time now. They have been listed in several AUS aviation documents and presentations over the past year or two (at least).

Wouldn't surprise me if it's old news. I hadn't heard, and that article showed up in my feed.

LoneStarMike · #**9278** Posted **Aug 26, 2025, 3:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

I thought SOM has been tied to this project for some time now. They have been listed in several AUS aviation documents and presentations over the past year or two (at least).

They have so it's kind of old news, but "working in collaboration with local practices Michael Hsu Office of Architecture and McKinney York Architects." I haven't seen, so may be the recent news release has to do with that new part.

Jdawgboy · #**9279** Posted **Aug 26, 2025, 4:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikey711MN

For those of you who had Cayman Airways on your new AUS airline list, come up to claim your prize!

AUS-GCM 1x weekly starting 5/30/26

Source: https://airlinegeeks.com/2025/08/25/cayman-airways-adds-sixth-u-s-city/

I'm confused, that article says we won't get Cayman Airlines..

WesternSon · #**9280** Posted **Aug 26, 2025, 5:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneStarMike

Here 's the archived article (no paywall) from the Austin Business Journal:

Southwest Airlines outlines big plans in Austin

This seems like such a foolish strategy that I have to believe it is the current Southwest Airline's base plan. Cannibalize two mega-hubs with limited competition to go up against the strongest, full service airline with a lower cost structure due to the being able to use Skywest.

All the while Nashville has no competition, bettter geography for a hub and more consistent tourism.