Allegiant Air to end base operations at Austin airport, citing space constraints at main terminal

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Allegiant Air will end its base operations at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport early next year, citing space constraints as preparations continue ahead of the closure of the South Terminal.

Allegiant established the base for employees and aircraft in 2021 at a cost of $75 million. At the time, the airline said it would create at least 89 new jobs.

Base operations are scheduled to end on Jan. 7, 2025, according to an airline spokesperson. Despite the closure, Austin is still an "important city" to Allegiant's network, the spokesperson said.

"Because of the South Terminal’s closure, Allegiant will eventually relocate to the main terminal," the spokesperson told KXAN in a statement. "Unfortunately, the gate space we have been offered will not allow us to sustain our base at AUS. However, we will continue to serve Austin with all flights operating as turns from other bases, providing our customers with the exceptional service they have come to expect from Allegiant."

The closure of the South Terminal is anticipated in early 2026 as part of the airport's Expansion and Development Program. A new midfield concourse is planned in its place, along with supporting infrastructure, such as a new connector tunnel to the main terminal and new taxiways. Because of the closure, Allegiant and Frontier Airlines will move flights to the Barbara Jordan Terminal.

An airport spokesperson confirmed to KXAN that "options" were offered to Allegiant to move its crew base to the main terminal, but further details could not be provided. The spokesperson reiterated that the base closure does not mean Allegiant will stop flights from AUS.

"We remain committed to supporting their numerous nonstop flights from AUS and appreciate the important value they bring to Central Texas travelers," the airport spokesperson said. "Their nonstop flights from the South Terminal will continue until it’s time to relocate them to the Barbara Jordan Terminal."

In the first four months of 2024, Allegiant carried almost 90,000 passengers in and out of AUS, accounting for 1.3% of passenger traffic at the airport. Allegiant currently operates 18 nonstop routes from Austin, including a new route to Eugene, Oregon, which launched on May 31.