Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is receiving a much-needed update to its passenger boarding bridges, with a project underway to replace jet bridges at the Barbara Jordan Terminal. The improvements, according to CBS Austin, involve not only a replacement of outdated infrastructure but the installation of new, dedicated climate control systems within the jet bridges, aiming to offer relief from the extreme Texas heat.
The initiative, which boasts a $1.5 million price tag per bridge, started in July and is expected to span the next 10 to 11 months. Managing the Texas climate, previously tasked to bridge AC systems that were, "designed to support both the board bridge and the aircraft, so cooling during hot summer days was not optimized," said an AUS spokesperson. As reported by KXAN, the new installations will focus on improving passenger comfort before they embark and after they disembark.
Looking ahead, AUS is planning more replacements in subsequent phases, as part of a broader airport modernization effort. Reflecting on the current project, an airport spokesperson highlighted the significance of the climate control upgrades, indicating that the enhanced system will be, "dedicated to providing climate control for the board bridge," as per KXAN, ensuring efficiency and comfort during extreme weather conditions.
