Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) has officially marked the completion of its West Infill Expansion, a $241 million infrastructure project designed to alleviate congestion and modernize passenger processing. Airport officials celebrated the milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 6, 2026, signaling the imminent public opening of the facility’s new security checkpoint later this month.

The project, a central component of the “Journey With AUS” improvement program, adds approximately 75,000 square feet to the Barbara Jordan Terminal. According to the airport’s announcement, the expansion addresses critical operational bottlenecks by delivering a high-speed baggage handling system and significantly increasing security screening capacity. The new facilities are scheduled to open to the traveling public on February 23, 2026.

Enhancing Terminal Throughput and Security

The West Infill Expansion focuses heavily on processing speed and efficiency. Located on the west side of the terminal between the existing structure and the curbside roadway, the project spans four levels, including baggage claim, apron, concourse, and mezzanine areas.

New TSA Checkpoint 3

A primary feature of the expansion is the new TSA Checkpoint 3. Designed to reduce wait times during peak travel windows, the checkpoint accommodates up to eight security lanes. This addition is expected to streamline the flow of passengers significantly compared to the previous terminal layout.

Modernized Baggage Handling

Operational reliability has also been addressed through a massive upgrade to the outbound baggage handling system. According to project details released by AUS, the new system has been operational since December 2025. It features 1.5 miles of conveyor belts and is capable of processing 4,000 bags per hour, a substantial increase over the previous infrastructure. This upgrade aims to reduce incidents of lost luggage and prevent flight delays attributed to baggage loading issues.

Design, Sustainability, and Funding

Beyond operational metrics, the expansion includes enhancements to the passenger experience and environmental standards. The project was designed by Gensler, with Whiting-Turner serving as the general contractor.

The facility includes three new ticket counters with six agent positions, expanded restroom facilities, and dedicated office space for airport and TSA staff. A “wellness room” has also been integrated to provide a quiet space for nursing mothers and travelers requiring privacy. In line with the city’s environmental goals, the project was designed to achieve an Austin Energy Green Building 3-Star rating, utilizing energy-efficient HVAC systems and responsibly sourced materials.

Cultural elements remain a priority for the airport. The expansion features an art installation series titled Voyages and sees the return of the “Austin Downtown Cruiser,” a local art piece reinstalled on the concourse level.

Regarding the financial structure of the project, the airport confirmed that the $241 million cost was funded entirely through airport cash reserves, revenue bonds, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants, including approximately $16 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. No local Austin taxpayer dollars were utilized for the construction.

Strategic Context and Growth

The completion of the West Infill Expansion comes as AUS faces passenger volumes that have outpaced long-term projections. In 2025, the airport served over 21 million passengers, a volume the AUS 2040 Master Plan did not anticipate reaching for another five years.

In a statement regarding the opening, Ghizlane Badawi, CEO of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, emphasized the urgency of the project:

“The completion of the West Infill project is a pivotal step forward for AUS and for our community. Our airport is serving 21+ million annual passengers, five years ahead of what our AUS 2040 Master Plan projected. This project is about more than adding space, it’s about delivering a better experience for every traveler as quickly as possible.”

AirPro News Analysis

The accelerated completion of the West Infill Expansion highlights a critical trend affecting mid-sized hub airports across the United States: post-pandemic travel demand is defying conservative planning models. The fact that AUS hit its 2030-era passenger targets in 2025 suggests that infrastructure development cycles, which typically span 5 to 10 years, are struggling to keep pace with real-time growth.

While the addition of 75,000 square feet and eight security lanes provides immediate relief, the “Journey With AUS” program will likely need to accelerate subsequent phases to prevent the return of the severe congestion seen in recent years. The reliance on federal grants and enterprise revenue rather than local taxes positions the airport well politically, but the operational pressure remains high as the region continues to attract both business and leisure traffic at record rates.

Sources

• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

This article summarizes reporting by Reuters and Bloomberg News. The original Bloomberg report is paywalled; this article summarizes publicly available elements and public remarks.

SAS Initiates Talks with Boeing and Airbus for Major Widebody Order

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has officially entered negotiations with aerospace giants Boeing and Airbus for a significant order of widebody Commercial-Aircraft, marking a decisive pivot from its recent restructuring efforts toward aggressive long-haul expansion. According to reporting by Bloomberg News and Reuters, SAS CEO Anko van der Werff confirmed on February 4, 2026, that the Airlines is evaluating proposals from both Manufacturers to renew and expand its intercontinental fleet.

The potential Orders, described by leadership as “large,” aims to secure delivery slots for the late 2020s and early 2030s. This move comes as SAS exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy and integrates deeper into the SkyTeam alliance, signaling a renewed focus on establishing Copenhagen as a primary global hub.

The Contenders: Boeing vs. Airbus

While SAS currently operates an all-Airbus widebody fleet, the airline is reportedly considering a mix of established and next-generation airframes from both sides of the Atlantic. According to the research data available, the specific models under consideration include:

• Boeing: The 787 Dreamliner and the 777X.
• Airbus: The A350 (likely the -900 or -1000 variants) and the A330neo.

A decision to purchase Boeing aircraft would represent a significant strategic shift for SAS, which retired its last Boeing 737s between late 2023 and 2024. However, engaging both manufacturers is a standard industry practice to leverage competitive pricing and delivery guarantees.

Strategic Context and Timing

The timing of this negotiation is critical. Having emerged from bankruptcy protection in 2024, SAS is now in what analysts describe as a “growth phase.” The airline recently joined the SkyTeam alliance in September 2024, aligning its network with partners such as Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM.

According to company announcements, SAS is already expanding its long-haul footprint, with a new daily route to Dubai scheduled to launch in October 2026 and increased frequencies to key U.S. and Asian cities. A modernized widebody fleet is essential to sustain this capacity growth.

External Pressures: Ownership and Geopolitics

The fleet negotiations are unfolding against a backdrop of significant corporate and geopolitical changes. Air France-KLM is currently in the process of increasing its stake in SAS to 60.5%, a majority acquisition expected to close in the second half of 2026.

While Air France-KLM is a major operator of Airbus A350 aircraft, having ordered more than 50 of the type in late 2023, SAS leadership maintains that it operates independently regarding fleet decisions. However, industry observers note that fleet harmonization with a parent company often yields maintenance and operational synergies.

Addressing Geopolitical Tensions

Recent diplomatic friction between the United States and Denmark regarding Greenland has led to speculation that political factors could influence the order. However, SAS leadership has publicly dismissed these concerns.

“Political tensions would not dictate commercial fleet decisions.”

, Paraphrased from CEO Anko van der Werff via Bloomberg News

The CEO emphasized that the choice will be driven by commercial metrics rather than diplomatic pressure, despite the complex political environment.

AirPro News Analysis

The Leverage Play: Publicly announcing talks with both Boeing and Airbus is a classic negotiation tactic. Even if SAS intends to maintain an all-Airbus widebody fleet for crew and maintenance commonality, feigning serious interest in the Boeing 787 or 777X forces Airbus to compete more aggressively on price and delivery slots.

The Mixed Fleet Risk: For a carrier of SAS’s size, reintroducing a mixed fleet (operating both Airbus and Boeing widebodies) carries substantial risk. It duplicates training requirements, spare parts inventories, and maintenance protocols. Unless the order is massive enough to justify these added costs, the operational logic heavily favors continuing with the A350 and A330neo platforms, especially given the impending majority ownership by Air France-KLM, a staunch Airbus customer.

FAQ: SAS Fleet Renewal

When will the new aircraft be delivered?

Deliveries are targeted for the late 2020s to early 2030s, aligning with industry production backlogs and SAS’s long-term growth strategy.

Does SAS currently fly Boeing aircraft?

No. SAS retired its last Boeing 737 aircraft in 2024 and currently operates an all-Airbus fleet for both short-haul and long-haul operations.

How does the Air France-KLM deal affect this?

Air France-KLM is set to acquire a majority 60.5% stake in SAS by the second half of 2026. While SAS operates independently, the parent group’s strong relationship with Airbus could influence the final decision toward fleet commonality.

Sources

• Reuters
• Bloomberg News
• SAS Group

This article is based on an official announcement from CAAC News and Eastern Air Logistics.

Eastern Air Logistics and SF Airlines Deepen Ties with 2026 Cooperation Agreement in Penang

On February 1, 2026, Eastern Air Logistics (EAL), the logistics arm of China Eastern Air Holding, and SF Airlines formally signed a “2026 Annual Cooperation Letter of Intent” in Penang, Malaysia. The agreement marks a significant deepening of the strategic Partnerships first established between the state-owned giant and China’s largest private cargo carrier in October 2025.

According to the official announcement released by CAAC News, the signing ceremony brought together executives from China Cargo-Aircraft Airlines (a subsidiary of EAL) and SF Airlines to operationalize their “1+1>2” synergy model. The collaboration aims to integrate EAL’s extensive international route rights and belly-hold capacity with SF Airlines’ massive freighter fleet and ground logistics network.

This latest move underscores a rapid evolution in Chinese logistics, focusing on securing supply chains for high-tech Manufacturing and cross-border e-commerce amidst shifting global trade patterns.

Strategic Capacity Swaps on Trans-Pacific Routes

A core component of the 2026 agreement involves optimizing capacity on critical trade lanes between China and the United States. The two carriers have agreed to exchange capacity on key routes to maximize efficiency and reliability for high-value cargo.

According to the details released regarding the agreement, the cooperation will specifically target the following routes:

• Shanghai (PVG) – Los Angeles (LAX)
• Shenzhen (SZX) – Los Angeles (LAX)

By coordinating schedules and space on these high-demand corridors, the airlines aim to better serve the booming cross-border e-commerce sector, which requires consistent lift for platforms shipping to North-American consumers. The partnership leverages China Cargo Airlines’ long-haul heavy-lift capabilities, primarily using its Boeing 777F fleet, alongside SF Airlines’ agility and domestic feeder network.

The “Penang Factor”: Expanding into Southeast Asia

The decision to hold the signing ceremony in Penang, Malaysia, rather than a domestic Chinese hub, signals a strategic pivot toward Southeast Asia. Penang has emerged as a critical node in the global semiconductor supply chain, often referred to as the “Silicon Valley of the East.”

The agreement outlines plans to jointly develop intermodal logistics products that connect Southeast Asia to markets in Europe and the Americas. As manufacturing diversifies under “China Plus One” strategies, logistics providers are under pressure to offer seamless connectivity from new production hubs.

“The choice of Penang as the signing venue signals a clear intent to capture the booming high-tech export market from Southeast Asia, ensuring they remain the logistics backbone for Chinese manufacturing wherever it moves.”

Data cited in the reports indicate that approximately 70% of Malaysia’s air cargo volume originates from Penang, with semiconductors constituting the majority of this flow. By establishing a stronger foothold here, EAL and SF Airlines are positioning themselves to control the logistics of high-tech components moving between China, Southeast Asia, and Western markets.

AirPro News Analysis

The Hybrid Model: State-Owned Meets Private Agility

We view this partnership as a definitive example of the “mixed-ownership” reform philosophy in action, even if strictly operational. Historically, China’s state-owned carriers (like China Eastern) and private integrators (like SF Express) operated in parallel lanes. This agreement bridges the gap.

SF Airlines brings a fleet of over 90 freighters (as of early 2025) and dominance in last-mile delivery. Eastern Air Logistics brings the belly capacity of over 800 passenger jets and established international traffic rights that private carriers often struggle to acquire quickly. By pooling these assets, they create a competitor capable of challenging global integrators like DHL, UPS, and FedEx on trans-Pacific and intra-Asia routes.

Furthermore, the focus on “Dual Circulation”, supporting both domestic consumption and international export, is evident. The partnership secures the supply chain for Chinese e-commerce giants expanding abroad (external circulation) while ensuring efficient import channels for high-tech components needed domestically (internal circulation).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main goal of the EAL and SF Airlines partnership?
The primary goal is to combine the international reach and heavy-lift capacity of Eastern Air Logistics with the domestic network and freighter fleet of SF Airlines to improve efficiency on China-US routes and expand services in Southeast Asia.

Why was the agreement signed in Penang?
Penang is a major global hub for semiconductor manufacturing. Signing the agreement there highlights the airlines’ focus on serving the high-tech electronics supply chain and capturing cargo volume from Southeast Asia.

What specific routes are mentioned in the 2026 agreement?
The agreement explicitly mentions capacity swaps on the Shanghai (PVG) to Los Angeles (LAX) and Shenzhen (SZX) to Los Angeles (LAX) routes.

Who are the specific entities involved?
The signatories were China Cargo Airlines (a subsidiary of Eastern Air Logistics) and SF Airlines (a subsidiary of SF Express).

Sources

• CAAC News