The Austin City Council has approved Item 7, allowing the negotiation and execution of Signatory Airline Use and Lease Agreements with commercial passenger airlines and cargo carriers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). This decision is expected to support ongoing airport expansion efforts.
Ghizlane Badawi, Chief Executive Officer of AUS, issued a statement following the council’s vote: “This is a pivotal milestone for Central Texas. We are thankful for our airlines’ shared commitment to deliver safe, modern, and efficient airport facilities that meet the needs of travelers and the region for years to come and we are grateful to the Austin City Council, City of Austin leadership and our business and community partners who have supported this transformational work, none of which would be possible without the tens of millions of people who pass through our terminal each year. We can’t wait to deliver a bigger, better AUS for our community.”
Under these agreements, airlines will participate in developing the Airport Expansion and Development Program. They will also lease more than 20 new gates that AUS expects to add in the early 2030s. The final number of gates at AUS, how they will be distributed among airlines, and total costs for the expansion program are scheduled to be determined and released publicly in early 2026. This timeline aligns with ongoing collaboration between AUS and its airline partners as they finalize these agreements, which are set to begin on January 1, 2026.
