AUSTIN, TX — As the city of Austin continues to expand, foot traffic at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is reflecting the growth as it breaks records in passenger numbers.
In 2017, the airport had more than 13.88 million visitors come through its doors, although airport officials say it is currently built to hold 11 million. In April of this year, the airport marked a new record for the number of monthly passenger traffic, with a reported 1,324,938 passengers at the airport in that month.
To keep up with the increased traffic, the airport initiated its ABIA 2040 Master Plan. On Thursday, the airport is hosting the third of four workshops, discussing ongoing updates and future runway, terminal and mobility options. The workshops are completely open to the public and free to attend.
Derick Hackett, the public information specialist for the Austin airport, explained keeping these workshops as an open house setting that has been a way for airport officials to hear from the community on what their feedback and ideas are for expansion efforts. Thursday night's meeting will have displays on hand of some of the changes being outlined.
"We want the public to come in and take a look at them and then give us your feedback because we don't want to leave anything out, and we want the Austin airport in the future to continue to reflect and feel like the Austin airport," Hackett said.
In addition to hearing what the community's ideas are, Hackett explained that airport officials are also weighing in the needs and infrastructure needed by other airlines.
"Citizens all have individual opinions and thoughts about what the future of the airport should be, so overall we're trying to address passenger capacity. We also want to address the future needs of airlines to make sure that Austin is an enticing place for them to continue to fly in and out of."
Although the master plan is mapped out for 2040, some updates currently in the works include: the addition of nine new gates at the Barbara Jordan terminal (expected to be completed in 2019), as well as the expansion of a parking garage aimed at adding 6,000 more parking spots, and modernizing roadways around the airport grounds.
Thursday's meeting begins at 6 p.m. and will run through 8 p.m., located at 2716 Spirit of Texas Drive, Room #174A.