AUSTIN, TEXAS – Passenger activity at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) followed aviation industry and broader economic trends. Air cargo numbers grew significantly, increasing by more than 20% over 2019, reflecting the role of AUS in the Austin region’s recovering economy. A major contributor to this growth was the start of new cargo operations by Amazon Air early in the year.

“Growth in AUS air cargo operations reflects demand for e-commerce goods and pandemic response necessities,” said Gina Fiandaca, City of Austin Assistant City Manager over Mobility. “These cargo numbers also reflect Austin’s strong economy, the resiliency of our community, and the airport’s ability to support continued growth in this area.”

In contrast to cargo numbers, passenger traffic at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport experienced dramatic declines in 2020 as a direct result of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Overall in 2020, AUS had 6,472,579 passengers pass through its doors—that’s down 62.7% from the 17,343,729 passengers the airport saw in its highest-ever passenger travel year, 2019. These are the lowest passenger numbers for AUS since the airport opened in 1999. Prior to COVID-19, AUS saw 10 consecutive years of record-setting passenger growth.

December passenger traffic was its highest since the pandemic began with 515,962 passengers flying during the month due to the holiday season.  Monthly numbers for December decreased by 65% compared to December 2019.

“While passenger traffic dropped dramatically in April 2020, it’s been recovering slowly ever since,” said Jacqueline Yaft, Chief Executive Officer of AUS. “That continued increase in passengers is due in part to the airport’s robust health and safety measures and a growth in passenger confidence that we’re optimistic will continue throughout 2021.”

In late 2020, an AUS passenger survey showed that 95% of those who traveled since the pandemic believe that AUS is taking the necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of passengers.

Last year also saw the announcement of new air service at AUS, most notably the announcement of Hawaiian Airlines’ nonstop service from Austin to Honolulu, arriving on April 22, 2021. A full list of Austin’s nonstop routes are available online.

Passenger Activity: Total passenger traffic for December 2020 was 515,962 down 64.9% compared to December 2019. December 2020 enplanements totaled 262,934, down 64.8%. Southwest Airlines passengers totaled 181,112 down 63.7%; American Airlines passengers totaled 98,507, down 62.8%; United Airlines passengers totaled 81,153, down 60.9%; Delta Air Lines passengers totaled 60,908, down 69.5%; Spirit Airlines passengers totaled 34,798, down 56.3%; JetBlue Airways passengers totaled 22,366, down 57.2%; Frontier Airlines passengers totaled 16,582, down 69.7%; Alaska Airlines passengers totaled 14,037, down 77.2%; Allegiant Air passengers totaled 6,118, down 61.1%; and Sun Country passengers totaled 381, down 82.2%.

December 2020 air cargo totaled 25,572,754 lbs., up 58% compared to December 2019. International air cargo totaled 40,917 lbs., down 97.5%. Federal Express carried 7,526,180 lbs., up 9%; Air Transport International carried 4,327,729 lbs.; Atlas Air carried 5,927,281 lbs., United Parcel Service carried 3,702,332 lbs., down 10.9%; and Sun Country Airlines carried 2,599,067 lbs.

Air Services transferred 588,026 lbs. of mail, down 33.3%; and 472,040 lbs. of belly freight, down 77.7%.

Aircraft Operations: General Aviation operations totaled 3,003, down 11.2%. Combined operations (including commercial and military) totaled 10,776, down 36.5%.

Passenger Activity: Total passenger traffic for January – December 2020 was 6,472,579 down 62.7%, compared to January – December 2019. January – December 2020 enplanements totaled 3,233,121, down 62.8%. Southwest Airlines passengers totaled 2,174,559, down 62.8%; American Airlines passengers totaled 1,336,450, down 56.8%; United Airlines passengers totaled 864,802, down 65.1%; Delta Air Lines passengers totaled 807,055, down 65.8%; Spirit Airlines passengers totaled 435,743, down 43.6%; Alaska Airlines passengers totaled 257,147, down 59.9%; Frontier Airlines passengers totaled 220,060, down 75.2%; JetBlue Airways passengers totaled 212,802, down 63%; Allegiant Air passengers totaled 81,322, down 56.3%; British Airways passengers totaled 29,217; Lufthansa passengers totaled 15,883; Sun Country Airlines passengers totaled 11,935, down 69.6%; Air Canada passengers totaled 10,317; AeroMexico passengers totaled 10,293; Norwegian Air passengers totaled 3,474; Swift Air passengers totaled 1,202, down 56%; VivaAerobus passengers totaled 197; and Miami Air passengers totaled 121.

January – December 2020 air cargo totaled 220,124,206 lbs., up 20.8% compared to January – December 2019. International air cargo totaled 4,807,913 lbs., down 77.7%. Federal Express carried 90,340,880 lbs., down 1.7%; Atlas Air carried 57,563,661 lbs.; and United Parcel Service carried 32,460,402 lbs., down 16.4%.

Air Services transferred 7,470,420 lbs. of mail, down 28.9%; and 9,757,964 lbs. of belly freight, down 56.1%.

Aircraft Operations: General Aviation operations totaled 33,706 for January – December 2020, down 22.7%. Combined operations (including commercial and military) totaled 131,342, down 37.4%.