Federal grant helps ABIA grow

The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport just received a hefty grant from the federal government to the tune of $12.7 million. The money from the Federal Aviation Administration “includes $10.1 million in discretionary funds to be used for the final phase of expanding the paved aircraft area around the terminal by 48 acres and enlarging existing taxilanes on the apron around the terminal. This will better accommodate larger and more aircraft at Austin’s airport. … The aircraft apron expansion is a vital part of Austin’s airport expansion projects underway to keep up with current growth, prepare for future passenger increases, accommodate larger jets and expand air service for Austin. A related expansion underway will add nine new gates to the airport terminal. The expanded facility will increase the capacity of Austin’s airport to 15 million passengers annually,” according to the news release. Last year, over 13 million passengers traveled through Austin’s airport, which was designed to accommodate only 11 million passengers. “These grants will help Austin better serve the flying public, which will strengthen the economy and create jobs in this community,” said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao in the release.