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Austin-Bergstrom International Airport |
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End of Cold War Begets Austin-Bergstrom International AirportAustin-Bergstrom International Airport was built on the property where the
previous Bergstrom Air Force Base used to be located. The base was
permanently shut down in 1991 by the Base Realignment and Closure
Commission when the Cold War tapered off and the US military initiated
defense cuts, and eventually the airport was built on the site. Austin-
Bergstrom International Airport is actually a relatively young mixed-use
commercial airport that started passenger service operations only in 1999.
The cargo movement operations service of the airport has been functioning
since 1997 though. It can be found 8 kilometers away from the Austin
central business district of Texas state.
Air travel services and facilities at the airport
Some major carriers which are presently using Austin-Bergstrom
International Airport are Continental Airlines, American Airlines, and
Southwest Airlines. There are a total of 12 commercial carriers and their
regional affiliates who currently use the airport. Both ExpressJet Airlines
and American Airlines maintain the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
as a focus city for their air travel operations.
The airport was able to serve 7.5% more passengers in 2006 compared to
2005, equivalent to 8,261,310 passengers passing through in 2006 and
7,683,545 passengers in 2005. When it was built, the airport was able to
take over the air travel responsibilities of the Robert Mueller Airport
whose old location had several disadvantages, being land-locked and a
potential source of significant noise pollution that could negatively
affect nearby communities.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has one terminal called the Barbara
Jordan Terminal which offers 25 gates distributed over its 600,000 square
feet of space. Restaurant concessions within this terminal pride themselves
on being able to let travelers get a sampling of what Austin cuisine is all
about with their menu offerings. Since Austin has earned the monicker of
"The Live Music Capital of the World", the terminal maintains a live music
performance stage where bands perform Austin-style musical pieces to
entertain the bustling airport community. It is possible for the Barbara
Jordan Terminal to eventually house 55 gates, if that becomes necessary,
since airport planners expect that the air travel needs of Houston, Texas
will most likely increase exponentially in years to come.
If you are fortunate enough to belong to the executive lounge clubs of
Continental Airlines and American Airlines, you get to spend your time
waiting for your flights at the special lounges both carriers maintain
within the airport terminal.
The airport also has two runways - the first being the original runway used
when the site used to be a military base, and another which was built
specially for passenger services. The original runway was simply
reconditioned after the base was turned over to become the site for the new
airport. This runway is much longer than the newer runway, and can be used
for arrivals and departures of wide-bodied aircraft (such as those employed
for international flights.) There is also an air traffic control tower that
is 20 storeys high, which replaced the original control tower of the base
demolished after closure of the base.
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