Lonestar Airport Holdings rejects city's offer, ABIA explains if this will delay expansion
As travel picks back up, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport announces March was its busiest month ever. (File photo: CBS Austin)
AUSTIN, Texas — As travel picks back up, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport announces March was its busiest month ever.
"This past March broke the record for the busiest month ever in airport's history with a little more than 1.8 million passengers flying out," said Sam Haynes, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Haynes said they continue to break passenger records as demand for air travel remains strong. This comes as much needed airport expansion and development program may have to hit a snag.
"So, not only are we looking to optimize and utilize the existing space, we'll also be doing some expansion improvements as well and that includes a 3-gate expansion over on the west side of the terminal," Haynes said. "This is all leading up to a build out of a 10+ gate mid field concourse that will support more flights and more passengers."
RELATED:ABIA releases design renderings for new 3-gate expansion
The key to moving forward with those plans is the eventual closure of the south terminal, but Lonestar Airport Holdings, which leases the property from ABIA and operates the terminal, recently rejected a $1.9M offer from the city to take it over. We asked airport officials if this will hinder any expansion plans and they said right now there are no anticipated impacts to the timeline.
ABIA released this statement regarding the rejected offer.
“The Department of Aviation continues to progress with airport improvement projects to deliver an improved passenger experience for all AUS customers and increase capacity for more flights through the Airport Expansion and Development Program. A vital component of the Program is the development of the new midfield concourse, which necessitates the future closure of the South Terminal. The Department of Aviation will continue to work with all business stakeholders and tenants throughout the duration of this program and looks forward to delivering an improved passenger experience to all AUS customers.”
Lonestar Airport Holdings released this letter in response to the city's offer:
