Austin Airport Expands with 32 New Gates

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) is gearing up for a major expansion that will see the addition of 32 new gates. This significant upgrade nearly doubles the airport’s current capacity of 34 gates. Details of the expansion were announced following the completion of long-term lease agreements with five major airlines: Southwest, Delta, United, American, and Alaska.

Austin Airport Expansion Overview

The expansion project is projected to exceed $5 billion and is entirely funded by airport revenue. Mayor Kirk Watson expressed his enthusiasm for the development, highlighting Austin’s attractiveness to major airlines as a sign of the city’s growth.

Staged Gate Openings

• 26 new gates will be added as part of Concourse B, which is expected to open in the early 2030s.
• 6 gates may be operational by 2027 in the new Concourse M, a standalone facility.

Concourse B will be linked to the Barbara Jordan Terminal via an underground walkway. The expansion will transform the travel experience for passengers and enhance ABIA’s capabilities.

Airline Participation

Southwest Airlines, the largest airline at ABIA, plans to substantially increase its presence by leasing 18 to 20 of the new gates. Currently, it operates 10 gates. Southwest will serve as the anchor tenant in Concourse B and has previously announced plans to establish a crew base at ABIA.

Delta Airlines will become the new anchor tenant of the main terminal and will occupy 15 gates, alongside investing $250 million for upgrades, including a new lounge. American Airlines will expand from four to nine gates as part of this project.

Concourse M Features

Concourse M is designed to enhance operational flexibility. Passengers will access the new concourse through a brief bus ride from Gate 13 of the Barbara Jordan Terminal. Some boarding will be done via staircase, reminiscent of the South Terminal. While the South Terminal is set to close for demolition this spring, Allegiant and Frontier will transition to the Barbara Jordan Terminal.

Airport officials are currently evaluating which airlines will utilize Concourse M but hope it will accommodate diversions, off-schedule flights, and potentially some charter operations to improve efficiency.

The ABIA expansion will shape Austin’s transportation landscape for years to come, further establishing the airport as a vital hub for air travel.