ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — Officials with Austin-Bergstrom International Airport are considering opening its terminals to nonticketed visitors who want to access its food, beverage and retail offerings.
The Airport Advisory Commission this week mulled over the idea of welcoming nonticketed visitors as long as they pass through security, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
Bryce Dubee, an airport spokesman, said officials are in the early stages of evaluating the proposal and talking to stakeholders, including the Transportation Security Administration.
“The safety and security of passengers is always our top priority,” Dubee said.
The airport is home to many iconic Austin restaurants and features weekly live music performances, according to Dubee.
Some supporters of the proposal want to see relatives to their departure gates.
Opponents said they don’t view the airport as aplace to relax or spend lengthy amounts of time.
Dubee said the airport wouldn’t make changes until new concessions open as part of a $350 million expansion this year.
That project will open nine new gates, a terrace to watch airplanes, a mezzanine, and restrooms for people and their pets.
Officials expect that the expansion will allow the airport to comfortably serve around 15 million passengers each year. A record of roughly 15.8 million passed through last year, according to city data.
Airports in Pittsburgh and Tampa, Flo., are pursuing similar plans to allow nonticketed visitors into their terminals.
Mark Howell, a TSA spokesman covering Tampa International Airport, said that site allows nonflyers to visit only on Saturdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
The airport also limits the number of nonticketed visitors to 25 per terminal. Everyone has to register ahead of time.
Howell said the main issue is ensuring that TSA officials can manage security screenings efficiently and safely.
“Our focus is to keep the bad guys off of airplanes, and if you aren’t flying it’s just getting more people through the checkpoints,” he said.