AUSTIN -- For the fourth consecutive year, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) has set a new record for annual traffic with 10.7 million passengers.
10,718,854 people flew in and out of Austin in 2014, up by 7 percent, or 700,896 passengers, from the previous record year of 10,017,958 in 2013.
Austin-Bergstrom has now experienced consistent passenger growth for five consecutive years, including 59 of the last 60 months. The growing local economy in Austin relies on quality air service to foster business, government and leisure travel.
Record airport crowds also enjoyed more than 62 tons of brisket, up 5,200 lbs. from 2013622,310 breakfast tacos, up 7.5 percent, 1,158 live music performances36,196 "Keep Austin Weird" t-shirts purchased.
Highlighting the year's growth in passenger traffic was the launch of Austin's first transatlantic nonstop air service. British Airways' Austin-London nonstop took flight on March 3, 2014. From March-Dec., 96,973 passengers enjoyed the London Heathrow nonstop service, which also brought a big boost to international cargo, delivering 10.2 million pounds of belly freight. Providing a link to more than 70 different countries across the world, the flight operates on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Texas Sky/Public Charters was another new airport carrier in 2014. The service connecting Austin to Victoria and DFW launched in November. Other existing carriers increased frequencies and seats on existing routes at a record pace. Coming soon in 2015, more new nonstop routes that were announced in 2014, including Air Canada to Toronto, American Airlines to Miami, Southwest Airlines to St. Louis and Orange County, Allegiant to Orlando Sanford and Branson Air Express to Branson.
Along with air service, the airport terminal grew with the opening of a newer, bigger, better U.S. Custom's facility in December. The new, state-of-the-art area more than doubles the airport's capacity to process international arrivals, from about 200 passengers per hour to 400-600. The opening of the Customs facility marks the completion of the lower level of the terminal addition project known as the Terminal East Infill.
The upper level of the project will build a connection between the ticket lobby and east concourse around Gate 5. Scheduled for completion in summer 2015, it will bring more TSA (Transportation Security Administration) screening lanes for departing passengers and will improve passenger flow through the airport.
The busiest departure day of the year, and third busiest in airport history, took place on Nov. 3 as 21,804 passed through security the day after Austin's 2014 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. That day also turned out to be a record sales day for airport concessionaires, who provided F1 and Circuit of the Americas official licensed gear in addition to their unique Austin gifts and food.
With 10.7 million passengers in 2014, the airport continues to grow and provide more flight options.
