AUSTIN, Texas – Following today's Austin City Council vote to pass Item 7, which authorizes the negotiation and execution of Signatory Airline Use and Lease Agreements with commercial passenger airlines and commercial cargo carriers, the airport has issued the following statement from Ghizlane Badawi, AUS Chief Executive Officer: 
 
"This is a pivotal milestone for Central Texas. We are thankful for our airlines’ shared commitment to deliver safe, modern, and efficient airport facilities that meet the needs of travelers and the region for years to come and we are grateful to the Austin City Council, City of Austin leadership and our business and community partners who have supported this transformational work, none of which would be possible without the tens of millions of people who pass through our terminal each year. We can’t wait to deliver a bigger, better AUS for our community."

As part of the agreements under consideration, airlines are committing to the development of the Airport Expansion and Development Program and leasing the 20+ new gates that AUS anticipates to deliver in the early 2030s. The future total gate count at AUS and allocation of gates to each airline, as well as the total cost of the Airport Expansion and Development Program cost, will be finalized and shared with the public in early 2026.  This timeframe coincides with our collaboration with the airlines to finalize these agreements, which are planned to go into effect on January 1, 2026.