Adam RollinsAustin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is in the works to expand the capacity of Concourse B and build a multiuse tunnel connecting it to the terminal. The deadline to apply for the project’s design RFQ is May 7.
AUS is set to receive $14.25 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (BIL) funds from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA will deliver the money to help improve the airport’s capacity to serve its passengers and stakeholders in both the short and long term.
The airport reached a record 22 million passengers in 2023 and is projected to grow to 30 million by 2027 – an increase of 36% in only four years. AUS will design the concourse to meet demands for increased gate capacity due to rising passenger activity levels.
“Not only did we experience more passengers travelling through AUS in 2023 compared to any other year prior, we are now poised to help ensure much-needed funding for critical projects that will elevate our airport into a world-class hub with top-tier infrastructure,” Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said.
Once finished, the concourse will include up to 20 gates, boarding bridges, concessions and clubs. It will also feature essential support areas including building aprons, taxiway connectors, drainage systems, utilities and lighting. Building Concourse B will cost between $1.1 billion and $2 billion.
The project also calls for designing and building an 840-foot passenger and utility tunnel that will cost between $200 million and $375 million. Plans include building infrastructure for a future automated people mover, baggage-handling equipment and infrastructure connections.
The airport is still collaborating with airlines to forecast passenger activity and determine the required number of gates to accommodate growth. Initially planned with at least 10 gates, the concourse’s design must be flexible enough to expand as needed.
Concourse B and the associated infrastructure are part of the ongoing Journey With AUS initiative, targeting ways to elevate the passenger experience as traveler counts continue to rise.
Recent milestones include the introduction of an outbound baggage handling system in 2022 and starting the West Gate Expansion project last year, which will add gates and passenger amenities. Also included is the ongoing West Infill Project. Once completed, the project will add 75,000 square feet to the terminal and expand Checkpoint 3 from two to eight lanes.
