The Austin Airport is celebrating its silver jubilee. It replaced Robert Mueller Municipal Airport 25 years ago, in 1999. From humble beginnings to its busiest
by Bettie CrossThe Austin Airport is celebrating its silver jubilee. It replaced Robert Mueller Municipal Airport 25 years ago, in 1999. is celebrating its silver jubilee. It replaced Robert Mueller Municipal Airport 25 years ago, in 1999.
From humble beginnings to its busiest year on record, no one feels the connection to then and now more than Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. “I was mayor back when we cut the ribbon on this place,” said Watson at the 25th birthday celebration in the Barbara Jordan Terminal. That 1999 infrastructure is now struggling to cope with record-setting numbers of passengers that sometimes have TSA lines winding through the terminal and outside onto the sidewalk. “When we opened this thing, about 6 million passengers to now over 22 million passengers. So that tells you both the success and the challenges,” said the Austin Mayor. The airport will be expanding the Barbara Jordan Terminal in terms of square footage, gates, and security checkpoints. A new concourse with 20 gates is also in the predesign phase. It may be hard to recognize AUS on its next big milestone birthday. But solving congestion problems is expected to create some. “I think the biggest challenge is just the construction and the time it takes to do construction right in order to meet the needs,” said Watson.Southeast Austin hasn’t always been quick to see the benefits of the airport’s explosive growth. But that’s changing and area schools are being impacted. “We’re seeing the airlines invest more within the surrounding schools of our community which is really important for us in the southeast. As the airport expands and doubles in size we want to see more of that and we welcome that partnership and collaboration,” said Vanessa Fuentes, Austin City Council Member, District 2. Another challenge facing airports is what’s flying around them. Drones, rockets, and electric air taxis are all on the FAA’s radar. “Drone activity, EVTOLs which will be flying taxis that will be around. Commercial space is also growing. You see more rockets going up into space,” said Shannetta Griffin with the Federal Aviation Administration. “Airports have to adapt to that.” Airport officials say the long Memorial Day weekend will have passengers needing to pack their patience. Friday is expected to be the busiest air travel day nationwide with nearly 3 million people passing through security checkpoints. Airport officials say to prepare for longer than normal lines by arriving at the airport at least two hours before your flight leaves.
Construction Passengers Growth Mayor Kirk Watson Barbara Jordan Terminal 25Th Birthday Challenges
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