Jan 31, 2022
Today, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is hosting a series of community information meetings to inform community members and connect them to educational resources about the site selection, operations, safety, and security features of a proposed jet fuel storage facility. The meetings are in response to City of Austin Council Resolution NO. 20211209-061 and are intended to address the digital divide and language access barriers experienced by city-wide community members.
As more people and businesses move to Austin and Central Texas, AUS has experienced a rising demand for air travel, with early projections for 2022 passenger volumes meeting similar record-breaking numbers experienced in 2019, which saw over 17 million passengers fly out of AUS.
The fuel storage facility is one of 61 projects included in the AUS 2040 Master Plan, a 20-year roadmap to the modernization and improvement of AUS. The new facility will be one of the first Master Plan projects to address the need to provide expanded facilities to accommodate the airport’s growth. The facility offers a solution for the near-term need for a safe and reliable additional fuel supply to support domestic airlines and cargo operations at AUS. As of 2021, AUS has an average daily supply of 2-3 days of fuel, below the industry standard of 5-7 days. If not built as planned, the airport will have to issue fuel shortage alerts. Airlines will have to carry extra fuel when flying to and from the City of Austin, and in some cases, AUS passengers could experience diversions and canceled or delayed flights.
AUS is committed to delivering airport improvement projects that create an improved passenger experience, support our regional economic recovery through job creation, and provide the required infrastructure, such as the fuel storage facility needed to support airline operations.
“AUS has been a part of the Southeast Austin and District 2 neighborhood for over 20 years,” said Jacqueline Yaft, AUS Chief Executive Officer. “As we meet the growing demand for air service and continue to support Austin as a city of national and international prominence, AUS is committed to balancing our obligation to create safe, modern facilities that exceed customers’ expectations while connecting airport-adjacent residents and businesses with the resources and information needed to stay engaged and informed on airport improvements.”
One virtual and two in-person meeting sessions hosted at the airport will provide opportunities for community members to participate, and will feature the same presenters, speakers and information. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the two in-person sessions will have limited attendance and are intended for those with limited or no access to the internet or technology. For more information and a link to the virtual meeting, visit SpeakUpAustin.org/
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About Current Airport Improvements & the Airport Expansion and Development Program
The Airport Expansion & Development Program (AEDP) is a strategic, phased approach to guiding construction and improvement projects, including select 2040 Master Plan projects, at AUS over the next several years. The AEDP projects will improve the passenger experience and meet the rising demand for air service at AUS in three phases; optimizing the Barbara Jordan Terminal through improvements that increase capacity and enhance operations; expanding infrastructure to increase gates; constructing a new midfield concourse, and connecting tunnel. Driving regional economic recovery and supporting Austin’s growth is a primary goal of the program. While a formal economic impact study has not been completed, the program will create jobs and provide opportunities for local businesses and the Minority-owned (MBE) and Woman-owned businesses (WBE) contracting community.
In 2021, AUS launched an Environmental Assessment (EA) guided by the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) to support the AEDP, which will be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for review and approval.
