City of Austin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASERelease Date:
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is thrilled to announce the addition of three exciting new concessions to the Barbara Jordan Terminal:
Half Moon Empanadas: A Miami-based, fast-casual, minority-owned eatery making a splash in airports across the U.S. Known for its menu of high-quality, handcrafted empanadas, Half Moon offers authentic Latin flavors ranging from savory classics to sweet indulgences to travelers on the non-secure side of the airport.
“Landing at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is a significant milestone for Half Moon Empanadas," said Half Moon Empanadas CEO, Pilar Guzmán. "We’re excited to join the vibrant Austin community and share our 'On the Go Goodness' with travelers. This expansion reflects our commitment to fueling life's journeys and bringing our authentic Latin flavors to more people, with the goal of making the empanada an iconic American food."
The opening of Half Moon Empanadas also marks a significant milestone for AUS. This is the first new sit-down hot food concession on the non-secure side of the airport since COVID-19. The space was made possible through recent construction updates to improve the passenger experience and through a joint-venture partnership with AUS concessionaire, Delaware North Company. Half Moon conducted a soft launch opening in Fall 2024 and celebrated its grand opening this week, on January 29, 2025.
FOR MEDIA - Photos and video of the ribbon cutting celebration can be found HERE.
Half Moon is located in between the east and west ticket counters and across TSA Checkpoint 2 West.
Antone’s: Travelers seeking an authentic Austin experience can now immerse themselves in the history of the legendary blues club at its newly opened satellite location at AUS, giving them a taste of the "Live Music Capital of the World" without venturing far. Antone’s also celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025.
“We are thrilled to finally have an Antone’s location in the airport. It has been a dream of ours for many years, and we’re so appreciative that Delaware North shared our vision and helped make this project possible,” said Will Bridges, co-owner of Antone’s. “It is truly an honor for our Antone's airport location to serve as a beacon of Austin’s live music scene, welcoming and entertaining visitors and locals alike as they travel to and from our amazing city.”
Founded in 1975 by the late Clifford Antone, the iconic venue has served as a “home away from home” for a Mount Rushmore of legends, including B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, Ray Charles, and James Brown. The new venue reflects the signature look and feel of Antone’s current 305 E. 5th Street location, with features like its distinctive neon sign – handcrafted by local neon legend Evan Voyles – vintage show posters, a memorabilia wall showcasing historic artifacts, and photos celebrating Austin’s musical legacy.
Antone’s is now open in the concession space formerly occupied by Haymaker. Antone’s at AUS is operated by the Delaware North Company.
HKG Duty Free: A premier travel retailer with a strong presence in Texas and California. HKG Duty Free provides a superior shopping experience, offering a curated selection of high-quality products, including perfumes, cosmetics, liquor, tobacco, and more, with an impressive mix of international and local brands. HKG Duty Free is now the operator of the airport’s duty-free store, which originally opened as part of the 2019 Nine-Gate Expansion project.
"We are excited to partner with Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and to bring our unique retail expertise to this dynamic and vibrant city," said Ross Khaledi, President of HKG Duty Free. "Our goal is to provide travelers with an unparalleled shopping experience that reflects the spirit and culture of Austin, while also offering the finest global brands."
Founded in 1977 in Laredo, Texas, HKG Duty Free today is a multinational conglomerate, headquartered in Miami, Florida. Under the leadership of Khaledi, HKG Duty Free grew from an electronics distribution company to having numerous retail shops on the U.S./Mexico border, airport concessions in Mexico, and now focusing on U.S. airport Travel Retail.
HKG Duty Free is currently working toward its official opening date.
“We are delighted to welcome Half Moon Empanadas, Antone’s, and HKG Duty Free to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport,” said Ghizlane Badawi, AUS CEO. “These new additions embody the vibrant culture, rich flavors, and iconic experiences that make Austin a one-of-a-kind destination. From savoring handcrafted empanadas to immersing yourself in the legendary sounds of Austin’s music scene, and enjoying a world-class shopping experience, we’re redefining what it means to travel through AUS. Each of these new concessions reflects our commitment to delivering a seamless and memorable journey, where every moment at AUS embodies the unique spirit of Austin.”
For added convenience, all of these new offerings will be easy to find with the AUS Interactive Map, which can be also used to find Checkpoints, art, live music, and relaxing areas around the terminal and campus.
And this is just the beginning, our Journey With AUS expansion program is set to introduce even more exciting shopping and dining experiences. Starting in 2026, the highly anticipated West Gate expansion will unveil an entirely new section of the airport, offering travelers even more opportunities to explore and enjoy their time at AUS.