Commission hears February financials, air‑service updates and construction schedule; elects new officers

At its April 9 meeting, the Airport Advisory Commission received staff briefings on February financial results, recent air‑service activity and several ongoing construction projects, and the commission elected new officers.

Financial briefing

Will Mack, financial manager for the airport operating budget, reported that the airport served 687,000 passenger enplanements in February 2025, a 5.9% decline from February 2024. Average daily departures were 217 in February, down from 223 the prior year. Mr. Mack said operating revenue for the month was $25.2 million, an 8.3% increase (about $1.9 million) driven primarily by updated rates and charges; year‑to‑date operating revenue was up about 10% ($12.6 million). Operating expenses rose, driven largely by increased staffing and temporary hires to assist passenger flow, leading year‑to‑date operating expenses to increase roughly 15% ($9.0 million). The operating surplus through February totaled $28.6 million, a 12% decrease from the prior year. Mack and staff said timing and seasonality also affect month‑to‑month variances and that they expect results to align with budget by year end.

Air service and cargo

Jason Alexander and Jamie Kazanoff presented air‑service updates. The quarterly seats‑for‑sale figure for April–June was up about 1% from the same period last year and 38% above pre‑COVID levels, staff said. Several carriers — including Southwest, Frontier, Delta, WestJet and Spirit — are adding service this year; some new nonstop routes are scheduled to launch between May and December. Delta will offer holiday‑season service to Cabo (Dec. 20–Jan. 5), staff said.

Jamie Kazanoff warned commissioners to “brace ourselves a little bit for some capacity cuts” because of softening travel demand and economic uncertainty; she said airlines may reduce frequencies or operate smaller aircraft on some routes. On cargo, staff noted an observed drop tied in part to changes in U.S. mail volumes; airport staff plan an in‑depth air cargo review and expect to have a report by Oct. 1.

Project updates

Deputy Chief Development Officer Lynn Estabrook provided an update on active construction: the West infill and TSA checkpoint work is progressing (staff showed new photos), the phase‑2 baggage system expansion is underway, and the parking garage south half is being prioritized so the older red garage can be removed. Estabrook said the West infill project is on schedule to open in spring 2026. The atrium infill project has steel ordered, is seeking a guaranteed maximum price agreement and staff expect construction to begin in May; nights between about midnight and 8 a.m. will see closures and potential noise as contractors work in the atrium lower level and baggage claim areas.

Other business and votes

The commission approved the minutes from the March 12 meeting by acclamation. Jason Alexander noted the department will forward a resolution to City Council on April 24 recommending two appointments to the Austin Bergstrom Land Host Enterprises (ABLE) board; the ABLE board oversees the airport Hilton.

Elections

The commission held nominations and voted on officer positions for the coming year. Commissioners elected Doyle Valdez as secretary, Bakari Brock as vice chair and Patrick Rose as the new chair. Patrick Rose pledged to be accessible and collaborative with both commissioners and staff during his term.

Future items

Commissioners requested future briefings on FAA airspace classification and staffing, regional transportation access to the airport (including bus and other alternatives), fuel‑pipeline updates, accessibility planning during construction, the status of the East observation deck/public outdoor space and a demographic/economic briefing for planning purposes.

No formal actions beyond elections and the earlier contract recommendation were taken at the meeting; item 9 (authorization of the contract pool) was discussed separately and recommended to Council.