A once-in-a-generation expansion is in progress at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and it’s set to radically transform residents’ portal to the world and tourists’ first and last impression of the Capital City.
AUS officials like CEO Ghizlane Badawi, Deputy Chief of Communications + Marketing Sam Haynes, and Deputy Chief of Planning + Development Lyn Estabrook shared behind-the-scenes insights into the $4 billion project at Austin Chamber’s Area Business Connections meeting.
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Key projects + timeline
Outbound Baggage Handling System | Estimated completion: 2026
This brand-new baggage processing system will stretch 1.5 miles and be able to accommodate departing checked bags of 30 million annual passengers. To put that in perspective — AUS was built to accommodate 15 million annual passengers and broke its record with 22 million travelers in 2023.
West Gate Expansion | Estimated completion: 2026
The first steel beam of this whopping 84,500 sqft addition was erected in July, marking a major milestone for the $165 million development. Upon completion, expect three new gates, five new waiting areas, a slew of new dining options, a playscape, and a new mezzanine with an outdoor balcony and skyline viewing area.
Atrium Infill | Estimated completion: 2026
This 12,000 sqft addition to the concourse level floor of the Barbara Jordan Terminal will keep folks in overflow lines from waiting outside of the airport for bag check and security screenings.
West Infill + TSA Checkpoint 3 Expansion | Estimated completion: 2026
Set to reshape the Barbara Jordan Terminal, this project will add 75,000 sqft of space over four levels and take TSA Checkpoint 3 from two lanes to eight lanes. Its $241 million price tag encompasses the Outbound Baggage Handling System, improvements for international arrivals, and other interconnected projects.
Midfield Taxiways | Estimated completion: 2027
Two new parallel taxiways will stretch two miles to connect aircrafts to Concourse B + other airport facilities. Work will also involve roadway changes, a new parking lot, bridges for support services, and a new taxi route for low-visibility conditions.
Arrivals and Departures Hall | Estimated completion: 2030
One of the most highly anticipated improvements, this new hall will cost $865 million and requires the Red Garage + its roadways to be removed. It will bring fresh ticketing and check-in areas, consolidated security checkpoints, new concessions, and larger baggage claim areas.
Concourse B | Estimated completion: 2030
$1 billion construction is set to begin in 2026 on this new 20-gate midfield concourse, which will include passenger + tenant spaces, boarding bridges, back-of-the-house operations, and more. A new tunnel will connect the concourse to the Barbara Jordan Terminal interface.
Yellow Garage | Estimated construction start date: spring 2025
Named after the yellow rose, this seven-story parking garage equipped with smart technology will add 7,100 new spaces located north of the Blue Garage (which is a nod to our bluebonnets).
Karen Diana, a senior project manager at Austin Commercial, said the new garage’s south half will open before the Red Garage is demolished to keep parking readily available during the airport’s transformation. Badawi also noted the need to add a covered walkway between the Yellow Garage and the concourse, which would alleviate today’s inconvenience of walking in the rain or extreme temperatures.
Amplifying Austin culture
According to Badawi, one of Journey with AUS’s guiding principles is keeping the “Austin-style” alive at the airport.
“That’s basically focusing on local music, local art, local food. We want to elevate that to the next level,” Badawi said. “We know that when passengers select AUS, whether as a connecting passenger or as their final destination ... they love the smell of barbecue as soon as they leave their jet bridge, and they enjoy sitting and hearing the music at the stage.”
Here’s how AUS officials plan to enhance the passenger experience + bolster AUS’s community:
- More venues for live music. Badawi said they want to showcase more local artists and become an airport that travelers want to choose for connections.
- Investing in the arts. The Art in Public Places program is aimed at creating more immersive, functional art — similar to the airport’s “Interimaginary Departures” exhibit next to Gate 14 — and just completed its latest casting call.
- Adding Austin-inspired concessions. More local eateries and bars will be featured than ever before.
- Hiring diverse firms. More than $400 million is set aside for small and minority-owned businesses to participate in the expansion process.
Environmental stewardship
With certifications like its carbon neutrality accreditation, AUS prides itself on being as kind to the planet as possible, and Journey with AUS is no exception.
Here are a few examples of Journey with AUS sustainability efforts:
- A new Central Utility Plant is poised to reduce energy consumption across the airport.
- Many construction projects will rely on the use of reclaimed water.
- Materials from demolished structures like the Red Garage will be repurposed for other developments.
What travelers need to know
Now, the question you’ve all been waiting for — until it’s complete, how will all of this affect your airport experience?
As construction ramps up, AUS officials are urging travelers to prepare for changes:
- Arrive earlier than usual to navigate potential detours and longer security lines.
- Expect new wayfinding signage and traffic reroutes as projects progress.
- Follow AUS on LinkedIn or sign up for email updates to stay informed about construction impacts.
