Austin鈥檚 airport has been cleared for takeoff.
has been ranked among the country鈥檚 best since it opened in 1999. Housing only , travelers from around the world can enjoy a BBQ sandwich or a coffee, even if Austin is only an hour-long layover along their journey.
So it鈥檚 not surprising that in USA Today鈥檚 recent roundup of , ABIA was nowhere to be found. Instead, it was recently named one of the .
What鈥檚 the story behind ABIA鈥檚 success? The airport is continuing to expand while emphasizing what currently works. Here鈥檚 how they鈥檙e doing that:
1. Virgin comes to Austin
In February, Virgin Airlines , featuring daily nonstop service to San Francisco. The flights were launched in May, complete with a with and Mayor Lee Leffingwell. 鈥淭his new service will increase travel demand, offer convenient new options for business and leisure travelers, and spur local economic growth,鈥� the mayor said at the celebration. Virgin鈥檚 arrival brings ABIA鈥檚 number of commercial airlines (and their regional partners) to 11.
2. More checkpoints, shorter wait
ABIA recently finished construction on a fourth security checkpoint that operates during busy times like mornings and holidays. In the future, a permanent checkpoint is expected.
3. Even more Austin grub
, locally owned by a mother and daughter, is a food trailer in ABIA鈥檚 . The lot opened in 2011 and allows people picking up passengers to wait for a call that tells them they鈥檙e outside. Inside the terminal, Ruta Maya and opened across from each other in the fall of last year.
4. ABIA gets PreCheck
the adoption of . The program allows certain qualified, pre-screened travelers to go through security without removing their shoes or jackets, opening their computer cases and more.
5. The Terminal East Infill Project
The is a plan designed by to ABIA team to match the airport鈥檚 growth to the increase in the number of travelers. If approved, the plan would add over 50,000 square feet to the terminal. The Austin City Council will vote on a $62 million funding plan for the expansion at its Ag. 8 meeting.
