From Advocacy to Action: How Federal Funding Helps Shape the Future of AUS

Big things are happening at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). As the Journey With AUS expansion program transforms the airport, a dedicated team is working behind the scenes to secure the federal funding and resources that make these improvements possible.

Jason Alexander, Deputy Chief of Airport Affairs, leads the airport’s government relations and legislative affairs efforts. His team works with local elected officials and members of Congress to advocate for federal support that helps fund major airport improvements.

For Jason, joining the aviation industry has been an exciting new chapter in his career.

“I've spent 20 years in local government and didn't start in aviation,” Jason said. “I've just been excited to learn something completely new, a whole new industry, a new skill set and just learning about what it takes to run an airport every single day.”

Why federal funding matters

To build major infrastructure projects, airports rely on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding opportunities.

“Airports are very expensive, and we are all self-sustaining entities,” Jason said. “We do not take public tax dollars to operate. And so, we all rely on federal funds to do and be able to fund the big capital and infrastructure improvement projects at the airport that are necessary for our growth.”

Federal funding helps support projects that improve the overall airport experience and prepare AUS for the future. 

Competing for limited federal dollars

There are two main types of federal grants airports typically receive: entitlement grants and competitive grants.

Entitlement grants are awarded each year based on a formula that considers factors such as airport size and passenger volume. Competitive grants, also called discretionary funds, require airports to submit applications that demonstrate why their projects should receive funding over other airports competing for the same limited dollars. 

“We've got a team of professionals that look for those opportunities and draft the applications,” Jason said. “And it’s where we’ve really got to demonstrate the importance of our projects above other airports.”

Federal funding has helped advance major infrastructure projects at AUS. In 2026, the airport was awarded more than $100 million by the FAA through a letter of intent to support runway and taxiway improvements that are critical to Journey With AUS projects, including Concourse B & Tunnel and New Midfield Taxiways. 

“A letter of intent is really a tier above your other federal grant programs,” Jason said. “It's one that takes a long time to negotiate. You do that directly with the FAA, and it's got to demonstrate that the project really does benefit the national airspace system.”

More recently, AUS was selected to receive $90 million in federal grants through the FAA’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Funding Airport Terminal Program to support the Concourse B & Tunnel project, a planned 26-gate complex that will help expand the airport’s capacity and improve the passenger experience.

Building relationships to support AUS growth

Securing federal funding starts long before an application is submitted. A big part of Jason’s work is building relationships with elected officials and their teams, helping them understand AUS’s challenges and opportunities.

“We invest a lot of time in building relationships,” Jason said. “Those are built on establishing trust and credibility over time.”

That includes inviting elected officials to visit the airport, showing them ongoing projects and explaining how federal investments can help AUS continue serving the Austin and Central Texas communities.

These partnerships help AUS advocate for important projects and ensure decision-makers understand the airport’s role in supporting the region.

Looking ahead

As Austin continues to grow, AUS is committed to building an airport that reflects the city and that will serve travelers for generations to come.

“We're working really hard every day to improve this airport and put Austin really on this stage, on an international stage,” Jason said. “We're trying to reflect our city and its values through the work we're doing here at the airport, and we're ultimately just building something that this community can be proud of.”

From securing federal support to building new infrastructure, the work happening behind the scenes plays an important role in creating a bigger, better AUS for travelers today and in the future.

Visit the Journey With AUS expansion program website for more information about upcoming improvements and the latest updates on all projects.