Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) celebrated its 25th anniversary today, marking a quarter-century of connecting travelers from Austin and Central Texas to destinations worldwide. The event featured live music, remarks from city and airport leadership, and a proclamation by Austin Mayor Kirk Watson designating May 23rd as Austin-Bergstrom International Day.
Since its opening in 1999, replacing the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, AUS has grown significantly. The airport was recently classified as a large-sized airport by the Federal Aviation Administration following a 21% increase in annual passenger activity between 2019 and 2023. Despite rapid growth, AUS remains committed to providing safe journeys and fostering economic growth while embodying the spirit of Austin.
The celebration included performances by local artists The Last Jimenez and Jackie Venson. Mayor Kirk Watson highlighted the importance of AUS’s growth: “Today marks 25 years since we cut the ribbon and began commercial service at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. As we celebrate a quarter century, I’m honored to have witnessed first-hand the remarkable growth of this airport and its transformative impact on our city and region.”
Ghizlane Badawi, CEO of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, reflected on the milestone: “From our first year when we processed over 6 million passengers to becoming the airport of choice for Central Texas, this anniversary is not only a testament to the dedication and resilience of our teams but also to the support of our community.”
In 2023, AUS marked its busiest year on record with over 22 million passengers. This achievement underscores substantial growth in air travel demand in Austin and Central Texas.
Looking ahead, AUS continues its Journey With AUS program, which includes terminal expansions, additional gates, more security lanes, new concourses with approximately 20 gates, and new midfield taxiways.
Assistant City Manager Robert Goode expressed optimism about future developments: “As we look to the future of our airport, the City of Austin is committed to staying true to our roots as Central Texas’ airport of choice. We would not be able to celebrate 25 years of service without our customers and business partners.”
AUS aims for continued success as it evolves to meet travelers' needs for years to come.