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Austin airport adds new routes as carriers reshuffle schedules, staff says
Summary
Airport staff told the Airport Advisory Commission on Feb. 12 that carriers are adding routes and adjusting schedules after American Airlines' service pullback; Southwest added Jacksonville and British Airways added a second daily to London beginning March 31, while Delta is expanding nonstop markets in 2025.
Airport staff reported Feb. 12 that Austin’s air service picture is changing as carriers add routes and shift schedules following service reductions by American Airlines.
The Aviation Department’s air service briefing said Southwest Airlines will begin service to Jacksonville in October, giving Austin two carriers to that market, and British Airways will operate a second daily flight to London beginning March 31. The second London flight is timed to improve connections to India, the briefing said. Delta has announced seven new nonstop markets in 2025 and is expected to become Austin’s second-largest carrier by summer, staff said.
The briefing noted capacity was up 38 percent year-over-year on the London route because of the added frequency, while American’s Mexico City double-daily represented roughly a 24 percent capacity increase on that route. Overall, the airport had 72 nonstop destinations in February versus 73 the prior year; departures were down roughly 3 percent for the current quarter compared with the same period the previous year, but up 34 percent versus pre‑COVID levels.
When commissioners asked about schedule frequency, staff said the count of nonstops in the monthly snapshot is the number of nonstop markets available in a month and that not all routes operate daily. Staff also provided daily and hourly peak information: arrivals are least busy from about 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., departures are lightest in the 5–6 a.m. block, peak arrival periods are in the afternoon (with about 32 arrivals at 4 p.m. on busy weeks), and peak departure periods occur around noon.
Commissioners asked whether terminal resources—ticket counters and baggage carousels—are being reallocated as airlines change service levels. Tracy Thompson, chief commercial officer, said baggage claim carousels are “joint use” and reassigned case-by-case to reduce passenger confusion; ticketing counters are preferential use, though common‑use options exist for carriers without dedicated gates. Jason Alexander, deputy chief for airport affairs, said tests of autonomous vehicles (Waymo) are occurring on campus under an agreement with the department but that those vehicles are in testing phases only.
The briefing concluded that competitive entry and added frequencies are improving connectivity and have the potential to lower fares, while staff continue to monitor daily and seasonal peaks to help guide operational decisions.
