June 12, 2026

Concourse M: How AUS Will Use Shuttle Buses to Keep Austin on the Move

A rendering of the AUS Concourse M project, the building has a blue roof and a white exterior

What is Concourse M?

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is in the midst of a transformative expansion program, and a new gate facility, Concourse M, is playing a key role in making it possible. Designed to support airport operations during Journey With AUS construction, Concourse M will help ensure flights continue to operate smoothly while AUS builds for the future.

Concourse M is a “midfield” gate area, which is where the M in its name comes from. That means it is located away from the Barbara Jordan Terminal and is only accessible by bus instead of walking through tunnels.

The main purpose is simple: keep flights moving while the airport is expanding.

How Will Passengers Get There? The Gate 13 and a Shuttle System

One of the most important parts of Concourse M is how passengers get to it.

Travelers will start their journey at Barbara Jordan Terminal, which is the only terminal at AUS.

From there:

Passengers go to Gate 13

A picture of the entrance to the AUS gate 13. There is a television screen on the right, and escalators to the left, which lead down to the hold room of the gate 13.

Gate 13 is the only gate located at ground level (apron level)

A picture of the bottom to the AUS gate 13 escalator leading to the hold room area. There are escalators on the right. There is a sign on the ceiling that reads Do Not Enter. There is a door in the middle of the space and an AED machine on the right.

Passengers take an escalator or elevator down to the holding room area

A picture of the AUS gate 13 hold room area. There are chairs in the middle of the room and chairs against the wall.

Board a shuttle bus
The bus drives across the airfield to Concourse M

The same process happens in reverse when flights arriving land at Concourse M.

This system is similar to those used at many European airports, where passengers are transported by bus directly to their aircraft rather than walking through long concourses.

The buses will operate frequently between the terminal and Concourse M, helping ensure passengers experience minimal wait times and a smooth journey to their gate.

What Will You Find at Concourse M?

Concourse M will feature a variety of services and amenities to help travelers stay comfortable while waiting for their flights.

Passengers can expect:

Ample seating areas

A rendering of the Concourse M project and how the hold rooms in the facility are going to look like.

Full-size restrooms
Free Wi-Fi
Small food and drink options through a grab-and-go concept partnership with Air Star Concessions and local business Desnudo Coffee
A pet relief area

Some planes will park at gates with jet bridges, while others will use ground boarding, where passengers will walk up a staircase and onto the plane.

Why is AUS Using this Shuttle System?

The shuttle system is not just for convenience. It solves a big problem.

While the airport builds new facilities, it still needs to maintain enough gates for all the flight schedules. Concourse M helps by:

Offer relief with added gate space during construction
Preventing flight delays caused by construction work
Keeping airlines on their normal schedules
Giving the airport flexibility during busy travel times

To make the shuttle system work smoothly, the airport uses planning tools and simulations to figure out:

How often buses should run
How long trips should take
How to avoid traffic delays on the airfield

The goal is to make the bus ride quick, predictable, and easy to understand.

How Concourse M Supports the Airport’s Future

Concourse M is only one part of a much larger plan to improve AUS.

It supports future projects like:

The New Concourse B & Tunnel
The New Midfield Taxiways
The New Arrivals & Departures Hall
New roads and curbside areas
Improved utilities and airport infrastructure

A System That Keeps Travel Moving

The Concourse M project will be a key part of keeping AUS operating smoothly during one of its largest expansion phases. Once open, it will help maintain capacity and support ongoing growth across the airport while major construction continues. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2026, with completion planned for spring 2028.

Rendering of the Concourse M facility inside. There are people at the gate counter and chairs on both of their sides of the hold room area.

Most importantly, Concourse M allows AUS to continue serving millions of travelers while construction crews build the airport of the future. It's a solution with a lasting impact—helping keep Austin connected today while making room for the growth and improvements that will serve travelers for decades to come.

Learn more about the Concourse M project and the Journey With AUS expansion program here: flyaustin.com/expansion-development-program