Increase In Passenger Traffic In 2008 Takes AUS Past 9 Million
Travelers
Austin-Bergstrom International
Airport (AUS) is set to enter a new decade. It's cause for
celebration, the "AUS-TEN" celebration.
Over the past 10 years, Austin's airport annual passenger
traffic has increased 36% to 9 million passengers. It has grown
into an economic engine with a $2.2 billion economic impact on the
local economy.
"I really think ABIA is one of the greatest airports I've ever
frequented. The cleanliness, friendliness and efficiency; it's a
pleasure to fly from Austin's airport," said Carrie Williams of
Applied Materials, Inc. and a frequent passenger. "The security
folks are always nice, even at 5:30 in the morning. The parking
team is phenomenal and parking is so close, even long term is only
a 5 minute walk from the terminal. Thanks for such a great
airport."
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) opened to
travelers on May 23, 1999. This not only marked the opening
of a new airport and the last airport built in the 20th
century. It became a success story of a base closure
converted to commercial use.
Bergstrom Air Force Base -- hence the "Bergstrom" of
Austin-Bergstrom -- had been part of the Austin community since the
1940s. Soon after opening, the airport filled with travelers and
began a series of setting records for passenger traffic in
Austin.
"The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is instrumental to
the economic success of Austin and Central Texas. Built for
the future and to accommodate growth, this airport shows our
commitment to and confidence in growth and business," said Austin
Mayor Will Wynn.
"Leisure travel is part of this as well. Both in making Austin a
recreational destination that is easy to get to and for our
residents flying out on vacations. When you arrive at our airport,
you know you are in Austin. The live music and local restaurants
make you feel as though you are already downtown. It's a wonderful
welcome to our visitors and a great welcome home to our citizens.
It's been a great 10 years of flying Austin."
The Barbara Jordan Terminal at Austin-Bergstrom International
was built for intuitive, easy way finding and to reflect the nature
and character of Austin. Large glass windows stretch upwards to
high ceilings. This allows passengers to gaze out onto the airfield
and surrounding hill country and helps illuminate the concourse
with natural light. Native Texas granite completes the aesthetic
experience, covering 50,000 square feet of terminal walls, floors
and staircases.
The terminal is named for Texan Barbara Jordan (1936-1996), the
first African American woman from the South to be elected to the
U.S. House of Representatives. She joined the faculty of The
University of Texas at Austin in 1979. Throughout her life Jordan
used her gift of voice and oratory skills, together with her
analytical abilities, to explain complicated moral issues to the
American public.
The terminal currently has 25 gates and is 600,000 square
feet. Even more room to grow is available on the 4,200 acres
of land the airport sits on. And grow it has, a new terminal opened
in May 2008 and marked a new ultra low-cost business model. The
South Terminal is a simple, low-cost facility built to support
ultra low-cost carriers like vivaAerobus.
The terminal building is modest. Complex bag handling
systems are not used. It is a clean, comfortable building. The
simple nature of the terminal translates into lower rent and
operating costs for the airlines.
Traffic flow was considered for planes as well as passengers and
was built into the airfield. Jets are kept moving on the airfield
by the parallel runways system supported by dual taxiways. The
airport's west runway is 12,250 feet and can handle the largest of
aircraft. The east runway is 9,000 feet long and easily serves both
commercial and general aviation aircraft.
Austin-Bergstrom International commemorates its 10th anniversary
with the "AUS-TEN" celebration. Passenger discounts, decorations
for uniforms and of course live music, cake and drinks are all part
of the fun.
"To distinguish ourselves, we strive for excellence in customer
service in a uniquely Austin style," said Jim Smith, Executive
Director of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. "This ranges
from the cleanliness of the terminal to live music, local art and
restaurants to encouraging and rewarding friendly customer service
providers."
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has nonstop service to 40
destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Over 9 million
passengers came through Austin-Bergstrom International in 2008.
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