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Austin airport reports higher November revenue, flags cargo dip and timing of payouts
Summary
Deputy finance chief Anupa Garbare told the Airport Advisory Commission that November enplanements rose 3.6% (6.5% YTD) and airline revenue jumped about 45% for November; staff noted a timing difference in gain‑sharing payouts that masks expense growth and committed follow-up on cargo trends.
Anupa Garbare, Airport deputy chief of finance, told the Airport Advisory Commission on Jan. 14 that November 2025 brought year‑over‑year gains in passenger traffic and revenue. "We had a 3.6% increase in our enplanements," she said, and year‑to‑date enplanements were up 6.5%. Landing weights increased 6.2% for the month and 6.6% year to date.
Garbare said airline revenue rose about 45% in November (roughly $6.4 million) and 46% year to date (about $13.4 million). Nonairline revenue rose as well, and total operating revenue increased 28% in November to about $7.7 million, with year‑to‑date operating revenue near $16 million. "So pretty good performance for the first couple of months," she said.
Garbare cautioned that a timing difference in the airport's gain‑sharing payout makes operating expenses appear favorably lower year over year. "Last year we paid that payout in November. This year, we paid that in December," she said, adding that, excluding the timing item, operating requirements rose roughly 14% but remain in line with the adopted budget. She summarized the month as showing "healthy surplus growth" (about 107% for the month and 70% year to date) while urging commissioners to watch how the year develops.
Commissioners pressed staff on a reported 9% cargo‑volume decline and whether peer airports show similar patterns. Garbare and staff said they will follow up; Jamie Kesanoff (air service development) later noted the airport is conducting an air‑cargo study with manufacturer and freight‑forwarder interviews that should provide context later in 2026.
The commission did not take formal action on the financial presentation; staff committed to provide follow‑up information on cargo trends and peer comparisons.
