AUSTIN, Texas — An uptick in travelers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) has forced officials to look for creative solutions to keep up with the demand.
The airport is currently facing a staffing shortage and, according to AUS Public Information Specialist Elizabeth Ferrer, it's not something the infrastructure can handle.
"None of this was predicted, and it was unexpected," Ferrer said. "We're seeing now that the numbers are just getting higher and higher."
Because of this, the airport is struggling with delays at baggage claim, which is sometimes leading to delayed flights.
"We are repurposing our employees and moving them to different areas to make sure that they can handle the volume. Some of the routine maintenance is not taking place, and it's just all of us managing our budgets," Ferrer said. "Sometimes you have to take from one pocket to add to another pocket to make sure that everything is working in your house."
On Thursday, the Austin City Council is set to vote on a nearly $11 million contract, which would remedy the staffing issues and the baggage handling system.
Ferrer said even with help, another challenge the airport faces is acquiring the people for the job.
At AUS, there is an incentive and recruitment program where new hires can earn up to $2,500 if they come on and last through their six-month probation period, and current employees can get a $1,500 recruitment bonus by recommending someone, according to Ferrer. However, the issue is not many people are applying.
"We are bound by the City of Austin's current pay scale, just like everybody else in the department. So that's where it gets a little more challenging to find a way to incentivize people," Ferrer said.
According to Ferrer, the airport has a 38% vacancy rate.
Another issue brought up was the airport's infrastructure, which has proven to be an added factor as to why the airport can't keep up with the growth.
In February, the City signed off on the West Gate Expansion, which will include adding and moving gates and creating a space so the airport is not flooded with people.
At the Airport Advisory Commission meeting on Wednesday, officials gave an update about the project to further expand the design. It will cost $164 million and won't be completed until March 2026.
Until the project gets officially underway, Ferrer explained she hopes travelers understand they are doing what they can do to get airport travel back to a steady flow.
"All we can do and what we do do is tell people this is what's coming," Ferrer said. "Please be patient. We are doing the best we can."