Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) has announced a settlement with LoneStar Airport Holdings in support of the Airport Expansion and Development Program.
The Austin City Council approved an $88m settlement with LoneStar Airport Holdings, granting Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) the ability to move forward with the Airport Expansion and Development Program (AEDP).
This settlement process will end the two current lawsuits between the City of Austin and LoneStar Airport Holdings, and, like the Airport Expansion and Development Program itself, is funded through the airport’s general fund, which receives no local Austin taxpayer dollars. The fund is made up of airport revenue, airport revenue bonds, federal grants and is separate from the City of Austin general fund.
All airline, vendor, and business operations from the South Terminal will remain in place as LoneStar Airport Holdings and the Department of Aviation work together to transfer the management and operations of the facility to the Department of Aviation. The facility will remain operational under the Department of Aviation until the required removal to support new airfield infrastructure for the midfield concourse, which is anticipated to occur in 2025.
First announced in 2021, the programme was designed to address the need for more capacity, while delivering new facilities and modern infrastructure. It will see the development of a new midfield concourse and supporting infrastructure, such as a new connector tunnel to the main terminal and new taxiways, which requires the removal of the South Terminal facility and 30 other vacant airport-owned buildings. Building removal for the additional 30 structures is currently underway and the acquisition of the leasehold interest in the South Terminal facility is a critical milestone for AUS in moving forward with the midfield concourse project.
Near-term airport improvements through the expansion program are currently underway, including the installation of a new checked luggage handling system, TSA checkpoint remodelling and improvements, a 30,000 sq ft concourse expansion and long-term improvements are currently in the pre-design and programming phase.
Owned and operated by the City of Austin, AUS is one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States.
Image: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
