City of Austin

AUSTIN, Texas – Today, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) announced a major federal funding commitment from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help meet Central Texas’ rapidly growing travel demands.

AUS has received a Letter of Intent (LOI) from the FAA, which commits $108 million in long-term federal reimbursements to support the Airfield Capacity Improvements Project, including new taxiways and upgrades to airfield infrastructure. This federal investment will fund a portion of the airport’s long-term Journey With AUS expansion program, which will deliver the new Concourse B which the new taxiways will be built to support.

Concourse B, one of the largest capital projects in AUS history, will add more than 20 new gates to support airline growth. It will also bring additional concession opportunities for restaurants, shops, lounges, live music venues, and passenger amenities, ensuring travelers enjoy a safe, comfortable, and authentic Austin and Central Texas experience.

The FAA’s Letter of Intent provides AUS with long-term federal support for airfield and taxiway upgrades that will increase efficiency, reduce delays, and enhance safety. The project includes new parallel taxiways to support Concourse B, high-speed exits, and related infrastructure to reduce congestion, enhance operational safety, and ensure AUS can accommodate future growth.

This LOI commitment follows a bipartisan letter of support led by Congressman Lloyd Doggett and signed by Representatives Greg Casar, Michael McCaul, Chip Roy, and John Carter in June 2024. Their joint advocacy was critical in securing FAA approval and emphasized the importance of investing in AUS’s infrastructure to maintain regional mobility and economic competitiveness.

To date, AUS has secured $96.34 million from the FAA’s Airport Terminal Program for the Concourse B and Tunnel project. AUS will continue applying for competitive federal funding while also using traditional financing methods such as airport revenue bonds, cash-on-hand, and future airport revenues to deliver this and other expansion projects. No local taxpayer dollars from the City of Austin’s General Fund are used to fund airport improvements.

This announcement comes on the heels of other major Journey With AUS milestones this year, including the ahead-of-time completion of the first major project in the Journey With AUS expansion program, the International Arrivals Improvements project, and the start of construction of the Yellow Garage and Atrium Infill projects.

Bryan Bedford, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, said: 
“Safe, modern infrastructure is essential to keeping our aviation system the safest and most efficient in the world. This investment at Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) will reduce delays and increase capacity as the airport continues to grow.”

Lloyd Doggett, Texas's 37th Congressional District, said:
“Whether traveling for business or pleasure, we all have a stake in airport expansion. This long-term federal commitment is essential to constructing an airport large enough to accommodate our rapid growth. I look forward to supporting continued partnership opportunities with the FAA to secure the sustained federal engagement our community deserves. Together, we will continue working to assure our airport can safely serve the truly international city that Austin has become.”

Greg Casar, Texas's 35th Congressional District, said: 
“The Austin airport is vital to Central Texas's growing economy, and this crucial funding from the FAA is a major win for our community. I was proud to fight for these federal dollars and will continue working to ensure our airport infrastructure makes travel more accessible and convenient for Central Texans.”

Michael McCaul, United States House District 10, said: 
“The FAA’s funding commitment will be a game-changer for Austin — boosting tourism, easing travel congestion, and enhancing security for those visiting Texas’ capital city. I’m proud to have fought for this funding at the federal level, which will enhance regional mobility and boost economic competitiveness for years to come.”

Kirk Watson, Mayor, City of Austin, said:
“Austin is a city on the rise, and our airport must grow to match the needs of our region. This funding from the FAA for new airfield infrastructure is a critical investment in our future. It's not just about more airfield infrastructure; it's about greater safety, increased efficiency, and ensuring AUS remains a world-class gateway that supports economic growth and connects Austinites to the world."

Ghizlane Badawi, Chief Executive Officer, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, said: 
“AUS is both grateful and excited to be awarded this critical FAA commitment, which allows us to move forward on two fronts: expanding the terminal with Concourse B and Tunnel and improving the airfield with new taxiways. Federal investments like this ensure that AUS can keep pace with our region’s incredible growth while serving the needs of our expanding community.”

For more information about the Journey With AUS Expansion Program and upcoming improvements, visit Austintexas.gov/AUSJourney.

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Information for Media
The AUS Public Information Office aims to make it simple and easy for media to access and cover the airport. View our media guide here for information and resources. Prior to arriving to the airport, please call the on-call PIO at 512-715-4287 or email us at AUSMedia@FlyAustin.com to arrange to park in media parking. All vehicles in media parking will require a brief security inspection prior to leaving the vehicle unattended.

About Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Owned by the City of Austin and operated by Austin Aviation, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport achieved large-hub status by the Federal Aviation Administration for the first time in 2022. Austin-Bergstrom is an economic engine, supplying over 74,000 direct and indirect jobs in the Central Texas region.

The airport serves approximately 20 million passengers a year and is home to over 40 local brands to shop and dine at, 8 live music stages and more than 15 airlines. As we build the airport’s largest improvement program in its history, we are redefining the travel experience in one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States.

For the latest news, real-time flight information, careers information, and details on the many services provided at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport visit FlyAustin.com. You can also follow Austin-Bergstrom on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

About Journey With AUS
Journey With AUS is the Austin-Bergstrom Airport Expansion and Development program. The program is a strategic, phased approach to guiding construction and improvement projects, including select 2040 Master Plan projects and near-term improvements to address record-breaking growth at AUS. Journey With AUS projects will improve the passenger experience and meet the rising demand for air service at AUS through optimizing the Barbara Jordan Terminal through improvements that accommodate forecasted demand and enhance operations; expanding infrastructure to increase gates; constructing a new midfield concourse, and connecting tunnel. Driving regional economic recovery and supporting Austin’s growth is a primary goal of the program. The expansion program will make ~$400 million in funding available for small businesses.