I'm all for more expansion at ABIA. But, dear God, please tell me the powers that be at ABIA are not going to piecemeal our airport together because it's the "cheaper" option?!?
I thought they they supposed to follow the master plan. If not, why did they spend the time and money in creating one?
Piecemealing small, disorganized, unthoughtful, 5-gate expansions together is no way to intelligently expand a great airport. It's not sustainable. One will always be behind the curve.
They need to stop being pansies and not be afraid of thinking big and for the long-term. Execute the plan already in place as defined by the master plan.
Sorry for my rant. I'm very much in favor of a west side infill project to match the new east side. However, adding 5 or so gates to the west side seems crazy. The airport must find a way to execute the master plan already in place.
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AUSTIN (City): 974,447 +1.30% - '20-'22 | AUSTIN MSA (5 counties): 2,473,275 +8.32% - '20-'23
SAN ANTONIO (City): 1,472,909 +2.69% - '20-'22 | SAN ANTONIO MSA (8 counties): 2,703,999 +5.70% - '20-'23
AUS-SAT REGION (MSAs/13 counties): 5,177,274 +6.94% - '20-'23 | *SRC: US Census*
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