Soaring Figures

Southwest Airlines may nearly double its gates in Austin airport expansion

The airline is vying to be an “anchor tenant” in Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s second terminal

Southwest Airlines

As Austin-Bergstrom International Airport continues a multibillion-dollar expansion, officials are in the process of renegotiating contracts with airlines for the next 10 years.

Airlines have always had to pay rent for gates, runways, and space inside the terminal. Now, the airport needs to commit to long-term deals with the airlines in order to help fund the ongoing expansion project.

Currently, Southwest Airlines, which handles about 41 percent of Austin passengers, is planning to nearly double its gate count when the new terminal opens in 2030. The airline is vying to be an “anchor tenant” in the airport’s second terminal, which could have at least 20 more gates.

KVUE reached out to the airline about future plans, and a spokesperson sent us the following statement:

“Southwest appreciates the leadership of airport CEO Ghizlane Badawi and the Austin-Bergstrom team as we work to make Austin and Central Texas an even bigger part of Southwest’s future. As Austin’s leading carrier with more than 40 [percent] of the market, Southwest is invested in the success of the airport and its efforts to offer world-class travel options for a world-class city. Southwest is eager to be the anchor tenant of the new Concourse B, with up to 18 leased gates upon execution of the new agreement. We look forward to closely collaborating with City of Austin staff as the terminal project moves forward.”

The Dallas-based airline currently has 10 gates at the airport and could grow that to 18 gates with the expansion.

Airlines that don't want to commit to the long-term deals can still operate month-to-month, but they'll have to pay a 15 percent penalty.

The Airport Advisory Commission is only tasked with making recommendations to the city council, so the agreements won't be finalized this week. The Austin City Council for will have to give final approval, with a start date for long-term use and lease agreements scheduled for January 1, 2026, through September 30, 2035.

Read the full story at KVUE.com.

airport

A Day In The Parklet

Austin suburb considers using sidewalks as patios in 'parklet' program

Photo courtesy of KVUE

Some businesses are already create their own parklets.

Some parking spaces in downtown Georgetown may soon trade cars for café tables.

City officials are exploring a new pilot program to transform some street parking spots into “parklets,” which are removable patios with public seating and dining areas.

Following a November 25 Georgetown City Council workshop, city staff were directed to develop a pilot program that would allow downtown businesses to use the sidewalks and adjacent parking spaces in front of their storefronts.

“It’s basically a street patio,” explained Kelly Trietsch, Georgetown’s Chief Development Officer. “So there's movable furniture and seats. It can create waiting areas, provides buffer space between traffic and where the public is utilizing space, and then also, it just engages spaces that might be underutilized.”

While some businesses have already “unofficially” begun utilizing sidewalks as outdoor café spaces, the pilot would formalize the process.

“We see some of these businesses kind of spilling out into our sidewalks already with chairs and benches and things," Trietsch said. "So just seeing how we can, maybe clean that up a little bit."

During the workshop, council members showed interest in exploring the program, but not everyone’s on board. Some residents told KVUE they worry it could make parking and traffic worse in the already-busy downtown area.

"I really don't like it because traffic is already not good here and parking is even worse,” said Georgetown resident Pedro Pizzo. “So I feel like taking away these parking spots, I don't feel like it will be a good idea at all.”

Others see the parklets as a way to enhance the downtown experience and attract more visitors.

“Whenever the weather’s nice, we want to be outside,” said visitor Austin Dodson. “So that's just another driver for us to be outside, to be downtown, to be in the community. So it would be a great opportunity."

Read the full story at KVUE.com.

georgetown parks