Airport Experience News is excited to announced that Jim Smith, Executive Director of Aviation at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), has been named the 2018 Director of the Year in the medium airports category.
“We are honored to recognize Jim for all the work he has done at AUS,” says Ramon Lo, publisher for AXN. “His dedication, passion and vision for AUS is making a positive impact on both passengers and employees at the airport.”
Smith has been Executive Director of Aviation at AUS since 2001 and has overseen the rapid growth of AUS during that time. In recent years in particular, passenger demand at the airport has been robust. In 2017 alone, passenger traffic increased 11.5 percent to 13.8 million travelers, and passenger numbers continue to rise this year.
The rise in passenger numbers has prompted several new infrastructure projects at the airport. Currently, Smith is overseeing expansion of the Barbara Jordan Terminal. The $350 million project will add nine new gates to serve a total of 15 million passengers annual. Plans call for an outdoor patio, new dining and retail locations, pet and family friendly spaces, and a tower, while also expanding airfield jet parking and movement by 36 acres. Once completed, the terminal will have an additional 88,359 square feet.
The terminal expansion comes on the heels of construction of a new parking garage and an off-terminal retail center and cell phone lot. In recent years the airport has also completed a new Terminal 2, a consolidated rental car facility, the Park&Zoom and Bark&Zoom parking and pet boarding facilities, and an on-airport Hyatt Place hotel.
“On behalf of our employees and business partners, I want to thank Airport Experience for this recognition of our efforts at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to deliver a quality service experience. Austin airport employees and business partners, including the TSA and Customs, work together every day to enhance the passenger experience and provide uniquely Austin hospitality and services,” said Jim Smith, executive director, AUS. “When travelers enter our airport, they know they are in Austin by the live music, local restaurants, distinctive art and friendly people.”
Smith will be interviewed in and featured on the cover of AXN’s October issue. His award will be presented at the Airport Experience Awards on the final night of the 2019 Airport Experience Conference in Las Vegas.
f our efforts at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to deliver a quality service experience. Austin airport employees and business partners, including the TSA and Customs, work together every day to enhance the passenger experience and provide uniquely Austin hospitality and services,” said Jim Smith, executive director, AUS. “When travelers enter our airport, they know they are in Austin by the live music, local restaurants, distinctive art and friendly people.”
Smith will be interviewed in and featured on the cover of AXN’s October issue. His award will be presented at the Airport Experience Awards on the final night of the 2019 Airport Experience Conference in Las Vegas.
