AUSTIN | ABIA Updates

[sammyk]

Speaking of the RCCF. A couple of weeks ago I noticed what looked like a Cobus airport bus inside. Was I seeing things? If not, what is/was it used for? To get to the South Terminal when it was in use?

[Austin1971]

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[LoneStarMike]

Originally Posted by Austin1971

The south terminal appears to be moving forward with a possible October opening.

A couple of months ago, you had posted

Originally Posted by Austin1971

Have heard several different plans. It's coming back, it's not and so on. Allegiant has expressed interest in purchasing the building and moving their op's over there. Was going to cost the port approx. 3 million to get it up and running so they decided it was cost prohibitive.

If the South Terminal does open in October, are you getting any indication on who would be operating it? The city (did they change their minds?) or Allegiant (do they still want to purchase it?)

[Austin1971]

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[AUS]

Why must they wait until October and how will international ops be handled during the expansion?

If the airport is in need for more unloading and boarding spots, why do they not park the aircrafts on hard stands and service them there like in Europe? The airport has so many, they just need to buy more equipment to handle it.

[Digatisdi]

There was just a press release confirming the June opening date.

I wanted to touch on Air Canada's flight for a second, I'm very optimistic about this, in fact I'll probably be taking the flight on my way to Istanbul in July, which I should mention, the prices are significantly cheaper in all classes than other routes to Istanbul.

Also any idea when they're putting signage for Air Canada up on the drop-off level? Within the next few days I hope.

[LoneStarMike]

From that press release:

Once the new, six lane passenger screening facility of the Infill project opens, a screening area with four lanes currently next to the Southwest ticket counter, known as checkpoint #1, will close. This area will be converted into more ticket counter space and a more efficient exit lane from the concourse.

I didn't realize that one would close. So they build six new lanes, then turn around and close four existing lanes and we gain a net total of two.

[LoneStarMike]

Originally Posted by Austin1971

Jan Buchholz
Staff Writer- Austin Business Journal

The cell phone waiting lot at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is set to become something other than a place to idle the engine and wait for a phone call. A retail center and Hyatt hotel development is scheduled to be built on the almost 16-acre site to enhance the experience of waiting for guests to arrive at the airport terminal.

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/blog/r...l-development-plan-set-for-abia-lot.html

I noticed on Page 8 of the backup information for the May 12, 2015 Austin Airport Advisory Commission it mentions "In design phase: insurance submitted for Hyatt Place surveying and boring."

[AUS]

The 4 lane checkpoint was temporary working during peak times. The area of the temporary checkpoint will be used for more ticketing space. I think the original plan called for a 10 lane checkpoint not six... I wonder why it was decreased. They may be using the space for a lounge or more concessions or more space for gate 2... The list can keep going haha!

[Digatisdi]

I think there's a possibility that they'll have 6 lanes at first and increase to 10 as the airport grows.

[LoneStarMike]

Southwest extended their booking schedule through Jan 4, 2016 and it looks like they are adding one new nonstop to Boston, one new nonstop to Seattle, and a second daily nonstop to Newark.

There's no press release yet, but BOS and SEA show up on Southwest's route map (check the "nonstop only" box, then click on AUS.)

I believe these new flights start November 21. (I checked by trying to make dummy reservations for all three.)

[LoneStarMike]

Here's the press release from ABIA

Southwest expands Austin service to Seattle, Boston
May 15, 2015

AUSTIN, TEXAS – Southwest Airlines has announced new flights between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and both Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) and Boston Logan International (BOS) starting Nov. 1, 2015. In addition to the new Southwest routes, the carrier is adding a second daily flight to Newark and extending Cabo service. Flights may be booked on www.southwest.com.

The Cabo service will be Saturday only. In the past, Cabo has only been offered during the summer.

Also from Southwest

T-Minus 154 Days to International, Oct. Additions, & Nov./Dec. 2015 Schedule

The international service refers mostly to Houston Hobby, but within the story is a link to a summary spreadsheet showing additions/subtractions at every Southwest airport.

In addition to the flights noted above, Cancun will go daily and a second daily nonstop is also being added to Orlando. These are seasonal adjustments. All the new flights begin November 1, 2015 rather than November 21, 2015 as I originally thought.

[LoneStarMike]

Originally Posted by DoubleC

Virgin will begin the AUS-DAL route tomorrow with 5 daily flights (later downsized to 4 in October).

I thought they were dropping down to 4 daily in October as well, but apparently they've changed their minds. I'm still seeing 5 daily flights in December.

[AUS]

Who thinks Austin will get a 787-9 from BA?

By the way, Air Canada starts flights tommorow!

[DoubleC]

Originally Posted by AUS

Who thinks Austin will get a 787-9 from BA?

By the way, Air Canada starts flights tommorow!

If the load is still just 70-80%, I see no reason why we would want to up gauge just yet. Why fly an even more empty plane?

And yes! Hopefully I'll be able to see it every now and then (albeit it's a smaller plane).

[Digatisdi]

The AirCanada flight launched today as was mentioned yesterday, there was also a little release from the port about the inaugural flight.

Another thing I noticed recently that hasn't been talked about in a while is that Hawaiian has posted some rather impressive profits for Q1 2015. If I remember correctly the port was looking to pursue a route to HNL. After the Delta SEA/HND route decision by the UsDOT to approve that instead of HA's KON/HND proposal, and the rumours that they're looking to expand into markets that don't current have nonstop flights to Hawai’i, I wouldn't be surprised if they break into the Austin market within the next few years.

[electricron]

Originally Posted by Digatisdi

The AirCanada flight launched today as was mentioned yesterday, there was also a little release from the port about the inaugural flight.

Another thing I noticed recently that hasn't been talked about in a while is that Hawaiian has posted some rather impressive profits for Q1 2015. If I remember correctly the port was looking to pursue a route to HNL. After the Delta SEA/HND route decision by the UsDOT to approve that instead of HA's KON/HND proposal, and the rumours that they're looking to expand into markets that don't current have nonstop flights to Hawai’i, I wouldn't be surprised if they break into the Austin market within the next few years.

Huh? DFW Airport has two and Bush International one non-stop flights to Honolulu, while there are several multiple stop (1 and 2 stops) flights. The 3 non-stop flights from DFW and HOU take slightly over 8 hours, the 33 total 1 and 2 stop flight combinations from Austin can take at least 10 hours to fly that far.
San Antonio doesn't even have a non-stop flight to Honolulu, why would Anyone wish to fly non-stop from Austin to Honolulu, there could be just a two hour delay flying indirectly from Austin? Golly, major airline hubs at DFW and HOU can't support more than 1 or 2 direct flights to Honolulu, why do you think a non-hub airport in Austin can do better?

[Austin1971]

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[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by Austin1971

Cause ABIA and Austin are booming. Hawaiian doesn't serve either DFW or IAH and want to expand their North American footprint. Austin could easily fill a bird 3x weekly. People want n/s service and don't want to waste hours connecting. Also I wouldn't compare ABIA to SA. ABIA handled more than 2 mil more passengers last year than SA and that number will certainly continue to grow over time.

Agreed....

Also going by electricron's logic since Houston and Dallas have direct flights to London then Austin shouldn't. Since SA doesn't have a direct flight to London why should Austin... Oh yea that logic makes so much sense considering that ABIA is totally on another level in passenger numbers as well as airport growth than SAT and who cares if Houston and Dallas are hubs. It's about market demand and profit for the airline. If they feel they can start a successful route then they will do it regardless of what hubs are nearby.

He might as well come out with it and ask why Austin even has an airport at all considering the majority of his comments on this thread....

[AUS]

Austin 1972 do you have any new news on the KE rumor from the port?