AUSTIN | ABIA Updates

[Austin1971]

Originally Posted by freerover

City staff is worried about airport expansion with the recent federal funding freezes. It wouldn't be shocking to see the new concourse and new ticketing building timeline impacted.

"Our airport is expected to spend about $900 million on major capital improvements over the next
two years, including critical expansion projects. Of that, we are expecting roughly a third, or $300
million, in grant funding that is now potentially jeopardized."

Austin is gonna be an ice cube after the feds are done. Ice Station Austin! That ain't nothing. Wait until you see the deep freeze light rail and the 35 expansion are going to endure. For that matter all federal funding for the city. One thing is for sure the CoA management and the council are going to have some very difficult decisions to make in the not too distant future. How they proceed will affect the city for decades.

[SproutingTowers]

Originally Posted by freerover

City staff is worried about airport expansion with the recent federal funding freezes. It wouldn't be shocking to see the new concourse and new ticketing building timeline impacted.

"Our airport is expected to spend about $900 million on major capital improvements over the next
two years, including critical expansion projects. Of that, we are expecting roughly a third, or $300
million, in grant funding that is now potentially jeopardized."

I would not worry about it where Elon is looking for $300 million for a bridge to nowhere.

[ILUVSAT]

1) It's a freeze - not a cancellation of funding.
2) If there is $900 million in capital improvements over the coming two years - then spend "your" $600 million first and eventually the Fed grant funding of ~$300 million will follow later. AUS doesn't have to pay it all upfront. Plus, the Fed grant is not going to be cancelled.

[freerover]

Originally Posted by ILUVSAT

1) It's a freeze - not a cancellation of funding.
2) If there is $900 million in capital improvements over the coming two years - then spend "your" $600 million first and eventually the Fed grant funding of ~$300 million will follow later. AUS doesn't have to pay it all upfront. Plus, the Fed grant is not going to be cancelled.

No one said it was a cancellation. The point is no one knows what it is and if you think you do, you have not been paying attention to what's going on.

Uncertainty brings delay in infrastructure and while the port might be able to get started on the smaller projects, they aren't going to green light anything that doesn't have 100% secure funding.

[freerover]

Seems like Air Lingus is using a Dublin - AUS direct as a carrot to get the passenger cap at DUB raised.

https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/20...oogle_vignette

[WesternSon]

Seems like a waste of an A330 for Aer Lingus.

I am sure there is a some tech traffic between the two cities, but outside of that IAG would be competing against itself with BA's twice daily widebody service with more global connections for connecting traffic.

Unless the plan is to drop one of the BA flights and let Aer Lingus take over the cheap connecting traffic to Europe. I wouldn't be surprised if BA is discovering that they have too much premium capacity to AUS with twice daily service... their advertised fares sure seem like it.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by WesternSon

Seems like a waste of an A330 for Aer Lingus.

I am sure there is a some tech traffic between the two cities, but outside of that IAG would be competing against itself with BA's twice daily widebody service with more global connections for connecting traffic.

Unless the plan is to drop one of the BA flights and let Aer Lingus take over the cheap connecting traffic to Europe. I wouldn't be surprised if BA is discovering that they have too much premium capacity to AUS with twice daily service... their advertised fares sure seem like it.

Idk, I take BA to LHR often and it's always a full flight. Personally, BA gives a superb experience and I don't see them going anywhere for this market.

[chinchaaa]

Originally Posted by WesternSon

Seems like a waste of an A330 for Aer Lingus.

I am sure there is a some tech traffic between the two cities, but outside of that IAG would be competing against itself with BA's twice daily widebody service with more global connections for connecting traffic.

Unless the plan is to drop one of the BA flights and let Aer Lingus take over the cheap connecting traffic to Europe. I wouldn't be surprised if BA is discovering that they have too much premium capacity to AUS with twice daily service... their advertised fares sure seem like it.

There is a LOT of premium traffic between the two. If you work in tech and travel to Dublin a lot, you know how desperately we need this.

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by WesternSon

Seems like a waste of an A330 for Aer Lingus.

I am sure there is a some tech traffic between the two cities, but outside of that IAG would be competing against itself with BA's twice daily widebody service with more global connections for connecting traffic.

Unless the plan is to drop one of the BA flights and let Aer Lingus take over the cheap connecting traffic to Europe. I wouldn't be surprised if BA is discovering that they have too much premium capacity to AUS with twice daily service... their advertised fares sure seem like it.

Dublin ranks #6 in unserved destinations out of AUS (just behind San Jose, CR and ahead of São Paulo). So, I don't believe it to be a waste. Especially when Dublin's airport authority is trying to expand its hub - offering an alternate connection route into Europe.

Also, Aer Lingus does not fly to any airport in the central part of the US. The closest airport served by the airline is Denver (and it's a new route there).

Another point that must be made is that, I would imagine, if a Dublin route is established, it would be no more than 3x weekly - and possibly seasonal.

Also, if I am not mistaken, the second BA flight is seasonal. Is it not? Either way, there is enough demand to warrant the addition of Dublin.

Where things could get interesting is when a route to Paris is discussed. Paris is the #1 non-served international destination out of AUS.

[Maximusx1]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Dublin ranks #6 in unserved destinations out of AUS (just behind San Jose, CR and ahead of São Paulo). So, I don't believe it to be a waste. Especially when Dublin's airport authority is trying to expand its hub - offering an alternate connection route into Europe.

Also, Aer Lingus does not fly to any airport in the central part of the US. The closest airport served by the airline is Denver (and it's a new route there).

Another point that must be made is that, I would imagine, if a Dublin route is established, it would be no more than 3x weekly - and possibly seasonal.

Also, if I am not mistaken, the second BA flight is seasonal. Is it not? Either way, there is enough demand to warrant the addition of Dublin.

Where things could get interesting is when a route to Paris is discussed. Paris is the #1 non-served international destination out of AUS.

Appreciate the info and the details. Do you have that list handy to post here?

[WesternSon]

Originally Posted by Maximusx1

Appreciate the info and the details. Do you have that list handy to post here?

Current Top 10 International Markets w/o Nonstop Service out of ABIA:

1) Paris
2) Liberia, CR
3) Rome
4) Seoul
5) San Jose, CR
6) Dublin
7) São Paulo
8) Barcelona
9) Madrid
10) Tokyo

Sorce: https://services.austintexas.gov/edi....cfm?id=443432

[WesternSon]

Frontier adds Miami and Philadelphia: Begins May 22, three times per week.

https://airlinegeeks.com/2025/02/18/...two-airports/#

Frontier not afraid to take a kick at AA when they are down.

[Tyrone Shoes]

Nassau Targets Untapped U.S. Markets, Point-To-Point Growth
Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) is setting its sights on expanding U.S. connectivity by targeting cities with significant untapped demand for travel to the Bahamas.

The airport’s leadership has identified several key U.S. markets—including... Austin, Texas...as potential new destinations to strengthen its position as the primary gateway to the islands.

https://aviationweek.com/air-transpo...t-point-growth

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by WesternSon

Current Top 10 International Markets w/o Nonstop Service out of ABIA:

1) Paris
2) Liberia, CR
3) Rome
4) Seoul
5) San Jose, CR
6) Dublin
7) São Paulo
8) Barcelona
9) Madrid
10) Tokyo

Sorce: https://services.austintexas.gov/edi....cfm?id=443432

Your link doesn't work. I posted this list on the previous page:
https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/sho...postcount=9122

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoes

Nassau Targets Untapped U.S. Markets, Point-To-Point Growth
Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) is setting its sights on expanding U.S. connectivity by targeting cities with significant untapped demand for travel to the Bahamas.

The airport’s leadership has identified several key U.S. markets—including... Austin, Texas...as potential new destinations to strengthen its position as the primary gateway to the islands.

https://aviationweek.com/air-transpo...t-point-growth

Exciting. AA served this route until the Great Downsizing about year ago.

[Croon]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Dublin ranks #6 in unserved destinations out of AUS (just behind San Jose, CR and ahead of São Paulo). So, I don't believe it to be a waste. Especially when Dublin's airport authority is trying to expand its hub - offering an alternate connection route into Europe.

Also, Aer Lingus does not fly to any airport in the central part of the US. The closest airport served by the airline is Denver (and it's a new route there).

Another point that must be made is that, I would imagine, if a Dublin route is established, it would be no more than 3x weekly - and possibly seasonal.

Also, if I am not mistaken, the second BA flight is seasonal. Is it not? Either way, there is enough demand to warrant the addition of Dublin.

Where things could get interesting is when a route to Paris is discussed. Paris is the #1 non-served international destination out of AUS.

Starting in April, Aer Lingus will have nonstop service between Nashville BNA, and Dublin. 4 times weekly.

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by Croon

Starting in April, Aer Lingus will have nonstop service between Nashville BNA, and Dublin. 4 times weekly.

Yes. That news has been out for a while now. The inaugural flight is scheduled for April 12, 2025. The route utilizes Aer Lingus' A321XLR aircraft.

Should Aer Lingus begin a AUS-DUB route, their A321XLR could be utilized - as the flight distance between Austin and Dublin falls within the 8700 km range of the aircraft model.

[chinchaaa]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Yes. That news has been out for a while now. The inaugural flight is scheduled for April 12, 2025. The route utilizes Aer Lingus' A321XLR aircraft.

Should Aer Lingus begin a AUS-DUB route, their A321XLR could be utilized - as the flight distance between Austin and Dublin falls within the 8700 km range of the aircraft model.

It would do quite well. Really hope we get to see this one come to life soon.

[futuresooner]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Yes. That news has been out for a while now. The inaugural flight is scheduled for April 12, 2025. The route utilizes Aer Lingus' A321XLR aircraft.

Should Aer Lingus begin a AUS-DUB route, their A321XLR could be utilized - as the flight distance between Austin and Dublin falls within the 8700 km range of the aircraft model.

AUS is NOT within the range of the XLR, so it's either their widebody A330 or nothing.

[GoldenBoot]

I not convinced you received (or found) accurate information, Futuresooner.

DUB is roughly 7460 km from AUS

There are a few news outlets, for some reason, that have the max range pegged at 7,500 km. However, Airbus, itself, states that the A321XLR's maximum range is 8700 km (when fully loaded). If this is the case, even with headwinds and a calculated safety buffer, AUS should still be within the range from DUB.

BNA is roughly 6285 km from DUB as a reference.

If Aer Lingus were to begin this route, I would think they would use larger equipment anyway.