Another record-breaking year at ABIA

The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport just released its 2017 passenger numbers: 13.8 million travelers passed through the airport this year. That’s an 11.5 percent increase over 2016, and this is the eighth year in a row of record-breaking passenger traffic for the airport. The news release also notes the addition of 10 new nonstop destinations, for a total of 70, “which included 10 carriers initiating or announcing 29 new routes.” The airport has been undergoing renovations to keep up with this service growth, and improvements include terminal expansion and a new six-story parking garage that should be open in 2018. And, the release notes some quirkier stats as well: 61.5 tons of brisket and 684,199 breakfast tacos served; 18,300 bottles of Shiner Bock and 111,557 T-shirts sold (Keep Austin Weird and ACL shirts led the pack in T-shirt popularity); over 80 artworks exhibited, with $4,000 of artwork purchased by travelers directly from artists; and 1,500 live music performances hosted, for a total of 11,500 live performances since 1999.