Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) NewsFor immediate release: May 19, 2009
Flying Austin for 10 years, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport glides into a new decade of service Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is set to enter a new decade. It’s cause for celebration, the “AUS-TEN” celebration. Ticketed passengers traveling through the airport on Friday, May 22, can enjoy birthday cake, live music and may even win free airline tickets. At 10:10 a.m., the Del Valle Elementary choir will sing “Happy Birthday” on the Asleep at the Wheel stage, birthday cake will be served to passengers, and Southwest Airlines will start the day of ticket giveaways by awarding a lucky passenger roundtrip tickets. Other airlines will give roundtrip tickets to lucky passengers at 10 minutes past the hour at various intervals. Grammy award winner Rick Trevino will perform live from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at “Ray Benson’s Roadhouse.” Note that since these events are past security checkpoints, only ticketed passengers will have access, not the general public. On Saturday, May 23, concessions in the terminal, including food, beverage and retail, are discounting purchases by 10%. Over the past 10 years, Austin’s airport annual passenger traffic has increased 36% to 9 million passengers. It has grown into an economic engine with a $2.2 billion economic impact on the local economy. "I really think ABIA is one of the greatest airports I've ever frequented. The cleanliness, friendliness and efficiency; it's a pleasure to fly from Austin's airport,” said Carrie Williams of Applied Materials, Inc. and a frequent passenger. "The security folks are always nice, even at 5:30 in the morning. The parking team is phenomenal and parking is so close, even long term is only a 5 minute walk from the terminal. Thanks for such a great airport." Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) opened to travelers on May 23, 1999. This marked the opening of a new airport and the last airport built in the 20th century. It became a success story of a base closure converted to commercial use. Bergstrom Air Force Base, hence the “Bergstrom” of Austin-Bergstrom, had been part of the Austin community since the 1940s. Soon after opening, the airport filled with travelers and began a series of setting records for passenger traffic in Austin. "The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is instrumental to the economic success of Austin and Central Texas. Built for the future and to accommodate growth, this airport shows our commitment to and confidence in growth and business," said Austin Mayor Will Wynn. "Leisure travel is part of this as well, both in making Austin a recreational destination that is easy to get to and for our residents flying out on vacations. When you arrive at our airport, you know you are in Austin. The live music and local restaurants make you feel as though you are already downtown. It’s a wonderful welcome to our visitors and a great welcome home to our citizens. It's been a great 10 years of flying Austin." The Barbara Jordan Terminal at Austin-Bergstrom International was built for intuitive, easy way finding and to reflect the nature and character of Austin. Large glass windows stretch upwards to high ceilings. This allows passengers to gaze out onto the airfield and surrounding hill country and helps illuminate the concourse with natural light. Native Texas granite completes the aesthetic experience, covering 50,000 square feet of terminal walls, floors and staircases. The terminal is named for Texan Barbara Jordan (1936-1996), the first African American woman from the South to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. She joined the faculty of The University of Texas at Austin in 1979. Throughout her life Jordan used her gift of voice and oratory skills, together with her analytical abilities, to explain complicated moral issues to the American public. The terminal currently has 25 gates and is 600,000 square feet. Even more room to grow is available on the 4,200 acres of land the airport sits on. Traffic flow was considered for planes as well as passengers and was built into the airfield. Jets are kept moving on the airfield by the parallel runways system supported by dual taxiways. The airport’s west runway is 12,250 feet and can handle the largest of aircraft. The east runway is 9,000 feet long and easily serves both commercial and general aviation aircraft. “To distinguish ourselves, we strive for excellence in customer service in a uniquely Austin style,” said Jim Smith, Executive Director of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. “This ranges from the cleanliness of the terminal to live music, local art and restaurants to encouraging and rewarding friendly customer service providers.” Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has nonstop service to 39 destinations in the U.S. and Canada. Over 9 million passengers came through Austin-Bergstrom International in 2008. A complete listing of all nonstop flight destinations from Austin and the 11 airlines that fly them is available on www.abia.org, click on ‘airlines & flights.’ Getting
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Source: City of Austin