Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is set to receive $108 million from the FAA to carry out infrastructure improvement projects, some of which will set the stage for the construction of a new concourse.
Airport officials said the federal commitment helps cover the cost of new taxiways, high-speed exits, and upgrades to airfield infrastructure. The taxiways are being built to support Concourse B, which will add over 20 new gates to the airport, in addition to restaurant, retail, and passenger amenity spaces.
Austin’s Aviation Department, which owns and operates the airport, planned the new concourse to accommodate recent growth in passenger traffic.
“Safe, modern infrastructure is essential to keeping our aviation system the safest and most efficient in the world,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in a statement. “This investment at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will reduce delays and increase capacity as the airport continues to grow.”
The airport has so far secured $96.3 million from the FAA’s Airport Terminal Program for the Concourse B project. Officials said they will continue applying for competitive federal funding while also using airport revenue bonds, cash-on-hand, and future airport revenues to back the effort.
No local taxpayer dollars from the city of Austin’s general fund are used to fund airport improvements.
Southwest recently announced plans to open a new crew base in Austin. It also received incentives from the city to assist in the hiring of around 2,000 new employees in the region.
