The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is excited to strengthen its relationship with Southwest Airlines and support the addition of an established pilot and flight attendant crew base right here in Austin.

Announced at a joint news conference earlier this month, Governor Greg Abbott and Southwest Airlines CEO, Bob Jordan said the decision will create 2,000 jobs in Austin, with many workers earning an average salary of $180,000 a year. Most employees at the new base will be captains, first officers, and flight attendants, and support staff. The expansion will also include the addition of the station Command Center and a training facility for flight attendants.

Governor Abbott and Bob Jordan were joined by Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax, and AUS CEO Ghizlane Badawi. Each shared their sentiment in creating a bigger, better AUS.

“This investment demonstrates our commitment to Austin and to our customers,” said Southwest Airlines President, Chief Executive Officer, and Vice Chairman of the Board Bob Jordan. “As the largest carrier at Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, we appreciate the vision of Governor Abbott and Mayor Watson in clearing the way for Austin to become an even bigger part of our future.”

“We’re laser focused on making sure people in Austin have good incomes, so they can afford to live and build a life in our city,” said Mayor Kirk Watson. “This performance-based agreement is a win-win-win deal focused on creating good-paying jobs for Austinites, strengthening our local economy, and providing more investment in childcare and workforce development programs.”

The expansion is made possible by a $14 million Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) awarded to Southwest Airlines. TEF is a performance-based grant that may be awarded to a business relocation or expansion project for which one Texas site is in competition with out-of-state locations to create new, good-paying jobs in the community and attract significant new capital investment to the state.

Stay tuned for more information on this expansion, including construction and partnership updates!