Austin Bergstrom International Airport

Austin donates purchased land to the federal government, establishing Del Valle Army Air Base on September 19, 1942; it is renamed Bergstrom Army Airfield in March 1943 after Capt. John August Earl Bergstrom, reportedly the first Austinite killed in World War II.

Austin voters approve a $400 million bond referendum with 63% support to fund conversion of the decommissioned Bergstrom Air Force Base into a new civilian airport.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport opens to the public on May 23, 1999, featuring the Barbara Jordan Terminal and a 12,250-foot runway, one of the longest in US commercial aviation.

A $350 million terminal expansion adds nine new flexible gates, increasing total gate count from 25 to 34.

On May 7, 2020, an unauthorized pedestrian on runway 17R is struck by a landing Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700; no crew or passengers are injured, though the aircraft sustains engine damage.

The airport handles roughly 22.1 million passengers in 2023, reflecting years of accelerating growth as airlines add nonstop routes bypassing Dallas/Houston hubs.

A major expansion program begins, including a new consolidated arrivals/departures hall and a new Concourse B planned for 20-plus gates, expandable to 40, connected via an underground tunnel.