AUSTIN | ABIA Updates

[Jdawgboy]

I don't know for sure maybe somebody on here does, but I would assume they would have to have room for another large runway I mean I don't see how they could ever build out to final phase with just two runways for that many gates.

[NormalgeNyus]

i thought i remember seeing in the build out maps that they have a third runway. you just have to look at the build out report

[Myomi]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

I don't know for sure maybe somebody on here does, but I would assume they would have to have room for another large runway I mean I don't see how they could ever build out to final phase with just two runways for that many gates.

I read through the build out report, and they will be another runway built. It will be west of the terminal between the 12,000 ft runway and the taxiway. It will be 9000 ft x 150 ft, or as big as the eastern runway. According to the master plan, this runway would only be built during planning phase 3. This will only happen around 2020, when ABIA will be handling about 18.4 million million annual passengers (MAP). Planning for this runway though will start when ABIA reaches 13.1 MAP.

The master plan is really dense, but if you wade through it, there is so much information in it about where the planners foresee ABIA (and thus Austin). After the full build out, the airport will be able to handle 42 MAP. This is incredible growth considering in 2000, ABIA handled only 7.7 MAP. Also, they are looking into expand taxiways to handle larger jets like the Airbus A380, much larger parking facilities, and planning for the light rail line.

Speaking to the current phase of the expansion, if you look over the timetable for planning and construction, it says that the city should of already developed the means of funding the project and "be ready to fully
initiate the program in early 2009". It looks like they are already behind on this, so it is still to be seen if and when any of these plans will come to fruition. If they have secured funding, I must of missed it. Anyone else got any information on that? I don't even think much of the stimulus money is coming in for this task.

[Onward]

Sad news...
http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin...1/daily45.html

[rhoby13]

Bye bye south terminal?

[hookem]

That is a bummer. I heard the flights were fairly full, but then the economic bust, escalating violence in Mexico and then the swine flu thing came along... not sure if those were the primary reasons, though, as the business model was somewhat questionable. Pretty sure the demise of VivaAerobus was predicted upthread somewhere... Still, we've seen this so many times -- international service started here and then stopped shortly afterwards. I was really hoping it would stick this time.

[Major AWACS]

VivaAerobus is not going away, they are just pulling out of Austin.
They are looking to fly MTY-LAS and some other US routes later on.

The load factors on their CUN flights were horrid for some time.

Ciao,
AWACS

[Major AWACS]

Originally Posted by Capt AWACS

It is a good concept in some markets, not North America. I can suggest some reading if you want to learn about the subject more.

If the airline makes markeeting work in Mexico they might survive, but not in the form you see stated in the OP.

And from what I read ABIA gave the land for this terminal away with an abatement land better used for cargo and GA. expansion.

Hey I hope it works good for them, but those of us with any knowledge of the airline business think it will be an uphill battle.
And not all the tickets will be $5. A few seats will be cheap then the fare buckets go up accordingly

Ciao,
AWACS

Not an "I told you so" by me, but just pointing out that some of us here do know a thing or two about aviation and airline ops and marketing. So when I said the things I said about this start-up over a year ago I was not being mean or a "hater" as some tried to say (if you read back on page 3-4) just being a realist in the aviation world.

I am not happy AUS lost an airline, and if ABIA markets itself right, maybe they can get some expanded service from MEX as the economy improves early next year.


Ciao,
AWACS

[PartyLine]

It's to bad a low cost airline with flights to Europe or the Caribbean doesn't fly out of here.

[Spaceman]

Originally Posted by PartyLine

It's to bad a low cost airline with flights to Europe or the Caribbean doesn't fly out of here.

Don't expect anything of value to come from Mexico....It was a miracle that this airline stayed here as long as it did. That country is such a mess...

[KevinFromTexas]

Austin-Bergstrom turns 10
http://www.statesman.com/news/conten...17airport.html

Originally Posted by the above article

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will celebrate its 10th birthday this week.

On May 23, 1999, an American Airlines flight took off for Dallas-Fort Worth, inaugurating the $690 million airport, which is a former Air Force base.

[adtobias]

what ever happen to the non stop to yyz on air canada

[Scottolini]

There is still non-stop service between Toronto and Austin on Air Canada.

[Onward]

Looks like the "Nerd Bird" is nomore. AKA AUS-SJC

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/conte...bird_nons.html

[texastarkus]

American to end San Jose-Austin 'nerd bird' flights

The Austin-San Jose "Nerd Bird" will stop flying on Aug. 25.

American Airlines has announced that as part of its cost-cutting it will end the two daily non-stop flights it has offered between San Jose and Austin since 1992.

The flights were usually filled with tech workers, hence the nickname "Nerd Bird." Direct flights between Mineta San Jose International Airport and other tech hubs including Boston, which also gained the nickname, have been curtailed in the ongoing downturn in air travel, as well.

Now Austin-San Jose travelers will have to take a connecting flight or fly direct into San Francisco or Oakland, Calif.

The number of daily departures at San Jose's airport has dropped from 177 in 2007 to about 149 last month.

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http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/st...d=lfn&ana=test

[texastarkus]

ALASKA AIRLINES ANNOUNCES NEW SAN JOSE-AUSTIN SERVICE

Carrier also adds flight between Portland and San Jose





SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines announced today it will inaugurate daily service between San Jose, Calif., and Austin, Texas, starting Sept. 2, 2009. The new flight will be available for purchase starting Thursday, June 25, at alaskaair.com and by calling 1-800-ALASKAAIR (1-800-252-7522).



Earlier this year, Alaska announced plans to link Seattle and Austin with a daily roundtrip flight starting Aug. 3, 2009.

“The San Jose-Austin route is a natural extension of our network, providing a vital link between two high-tech hubs,” said Andrew Harrison, Alaska Airlines’

vice president of planning and revenue management. “We are excited to offer this new market to our customers.”



The new flight will depart San Jose at 8:55 a.m. Pacific time and arrive at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at 2:15 p.m. Central time. The return flight will depart Austin at 3 p.m. Central time and arrive in San Jose at 4:40 p.m. Pacific time.

The flight will originate in Portland, Ore. An Alaska Airlines jet will replace one of five existing Horizon Air flights between Portland and San Jose, increasing capacity in the market. The Alaska flight will depart Portland at 6:20 a.m. Pacific time and arrive in San Jose at 8:10 a.m. Pacific time. The return flight will depart San Jose at 5:25 p.m. and arrive in Portland at 7:10 p.m.

Alaska Airlines will operate the flights with Boeing 737-800s, accommodating 16 passengers in first class and 141 in the main cabin.



Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together serve more than 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

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[Jdawgboy]

It is interesting that Alaska Airlines is basically picking up routs that other carriers have dropped. There is demand between Austin and San Jose and they know it.

[the Genral]

I'm surprised Southwest didn't jump on that route unless they knew its not going to be profitable. Makes me think Alaska Airlines is willing to take the risk in order to get more recognition. Expect the service to be short lived though, then maybe JetBlue will try. More realistic might be a San Jose, Austin, and an East Coast destination with no plane change in Austin. Usually can get back in the air within an hour.

[M1EK]

High tech travellers are heavily into the frequent flier mystique - Southwest doesn't suck up to that type of passenger as much.

[texastarkus]

Originally Posted by the Genral

I'm surprised Southwest didn't jump on that route unless they knew its not going to be profitable. Makes me think Alaska Airlines is willing to take the risk in order to get more recognition. Expect the service to be short lived though, then maybe JetBlue will try. More realistic might be a San Jose, Austin, and an East Coast destination with no plane change in Austin. Usually can get back in the air within an hour.

I would like to see jetBlue add this route becasue they'll have to lease a second gate since 19 is full. Once they do that they'll want to full the gate and that means more flights...more city pairs. I still hope they want to make Austin their central US hub for the E190. Until then it's nice watching Alaska Air make a toe hold here.