City council to consider takeover of south terminal

• City officials want to add a new concourse by 2028 with at least 10 new gates and the ability to expand to 40.

The rub: The south terminal would be demolished under the plan — no longer housing budget-friendly airlines like Allegiant and Frontier.

State of play: LoneStar Airport Holdings, which leases and operates the south terminal property, has rejected a $1.9 million offer from the city to take it over.

• Jeff Pearse, CEO of LoneStar Airport Holdings, penned an open letter to the Austin City Council on Wednesday, saying the current expansion program throws "the South Terminal and its budget-conscious travelers to the wayside."
• Pearse called for a new proposal that would maintain the south terminal while still making way for the Barbara Jordan Terminal expansion.

The other side: Jacqueline Yaft, the airport's executive director, has said the south terminal needs to be demolished for a new taxiway by July 2023 to keep up with the high demand.

What's next: If the council votes to move forward with eminent domain, the city will file a condemnation lawsuit.

• The meeting begins at 10am. Watch here.