AUSTIN, Texas — Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is adding 80 new full-time positions after the Austin City Council approved an amendment to the annual budget Thursday.
The new positions were added due to the "rapid and unprecedented increase" in travelers and aircraft traffic at the airport. The airport operating fund will now receive an additional $2.2 million to support the new hires.
According to city documents, the airport will serve 40% more passenger seat capacity this summer compared to the same time just two years ago in 2019.
Such growth comes as airlines have continued adding domestic and international flights from the Austin airport and require additional staffing to manage frequent peak travel periods throughout the day, per the document. These peak travel periods are exacerbated during special events, summer travel and holidays.
Of the 80 new positions, 50 are frontline positions made up of security, maintenance, custodial, guest services and technical positions. Eighteen are manager and supervisors positions and 12 positions will support the Airport Expansion and Development Program (AEDP) comprised of a project manager, project assistant project coordinator and program managers.
The additional staffing will allow 50 temporary positions to switch to full-time positions, the document stated.
"The Aviation Department has reached the limits of what is manageable with its current staffing levels. It is imperative to establish the needed long-term structure and staffing plan to accommodate the remarkable growth that has already occurred and is predicted to continue," the document stated. "As AUS advances to a large airport, the need has increased for airport planning and development, along with dedicated staff for airport programs and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Implementation of the AEDP will require extensive internal and external management and coordination efforts due to the extent of the program."
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