Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Texas, has opened the first phase of its US$350m terminal and apron expansion program, adding nine new gates to the Barbara Jordan Terminal.
Other upgrades include an extra 88,359ft² (8,208m²) of concourse space; 52,282ft² (4,857m²) of apron space; 28,205ft² (2,620m²) of mezzanine space; and 5,770ft² (536m²) of outdoor east terrace. A further 175,000ft² (16,258m²) will be added in later phases.
Expanding the paved aircraft area around the terminal by 48 acres has also enabled the airport to better accommodate larger aircraft such as the A380. The extension has been designed to meet LEED Silver certification for overall energy and environmental sustainability.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport was originally designed to serve 11 million passengers annually but served 15.8 million in 2018. Its main terminal is named after Barbara Jordan, an elected official who was the first African American to serve in the Texas Senate since Reconstruction (1966-72), the first African American woman elected to the US Congress from the South (1972-78) and the first woman to deliver the keynote address at a national party convention (Democratic Convention 1976, and again in 1992).
For more from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, catch LoneStar Airport Holdings CEO Jeff Pearse’s presentation on how the airport is working to create better value for its passengers. His presentation is part of the ‘Technology: Passenger Journey‘ stream at the Passenger Terminal Conference, which takes place during Passenger Terminal Expo, on March 26, 27 and 28, 2019, in London.