Austin-Bergstrom Airport outlines $4 billion expansion, highlights local contracting and workforce opportunities

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport officials told the Austin City Council Economic Opportunity Committee on May 16 that a multi‑billion‑dollar expansion will increase the airport’s capacity and create thousands of construction and long‑term jobs while aiming to preserve local contracting opportunities.

Chief of Aviation Ghislaine Badawi said the airport served about 21.8 million passengers in 2024, operates on roughly 4,200 acres and is self‑funded through airline fees, concessions, parking and federal grants. She described a phased program launched in 2024 — “Journey with AUS” — and said the airport’s expansion work represents “more than $4,000,000,000 in investments,” with over $1,000,000,000 in direct labor costs and roughly 1,400 active construction jobs today, with about 1,200 more expected this year.

The airport is pursuing multiple near‑term projects to improve capacity and passenger experience while larger elements such as a new Concourse B and a new arrival and departure hall proceed in sequence. Badawi said enabling projects such as midfield taxiways and demolition of an existing garage must finish before new concourse and hall construction can begin. Near‑term milestones she described include a multi‑phase baggage handling system (a 1.5‑mile conveyor capacity described as 4,000 bags per hour), a gate expansion adding three gates, an atrium infill adding roughly 12,000 square feet of queue space, a “West Infill” adding about 75,000 square feet, and a new parking garage whose first phase is anticipated next year and full completion by 2027.

Badawi outlined goals for Concourse B that include more than 20 gates and an overall capacity increase she estimated at “more than 40%.” She also described cargo operations, about 18 carriers, 14 international destinations and cargo volume figures presented during the briefing.

Committee members pressed airport staff on two recurring operational concerns — staffing at air traffic control and workforce development. Mayor Pro Tem Fuentes and others described national air traffic control staffing shortages that have produced ground stops at congested East Coast airports and urged ongoing engagement with the Federal Aviation Administration. Badawi said AUS has provided input to the FAA and is advocating for adequate staffing, and described the shortage as a nationwide issue.

On contracting and workforce development, Badawi said AUS hosted outreach events that drew more than 1,700 attendees and ran “Runway to Opportunities” events that connected prime contractors with local subcontractors; she said about 250 potential subcontractors registered on site. AUS staff said they are partnering with Workforce Solutions Capital Area on an Infrastructure Academy and apprenticeship programs to prepare local workers for airport construction and future operations.

Committee member questions also addressed traveler circulation to future Concourse B (an underground tunnel with escalators, elevators and potential moving walkways), whether airport projects would include sensory or quiet rooms, and how the airport plans to recruit local and diverse concession vendors.

What happens next: Badawi said the airport will return to council for additional authority if the final number of Concourse B gates changes. Several enabling projects are already under construction or in procurement; the airport expects to bring a construction request related to the integrated baggage handling system to council in summer 2025.

Ending: Committee members expressed support for local contracting and workforce training goals while emphasizing continued attention to FAA staffing and operational reliability.