Charter On at Austin Executive Airport

By Karen Di Piazza / June 27, 2001

Next time you charter a private jet and land in Texas, it might be at the new Austin Executive Airport (KDEC), which opened on June 8 and features a 6,025-foot runway, a fixed based operation (FBO) and general services. The public-use airport is located in Manor, west of Elgin and east of the central business district of Austin.

KDEC, formally known as Bird’s Nest Airport, was built by businessman and airline transport pilot Ron Henriksen, who reportedly invested $33 million to restore the old airport.

As Robert Mueller Field and Austin Executive Airpark closed in 1999, leaving the community without a reliever airport, KDEC fills the bill. Austin Executive Airport reports a robust stream of business jets. In fact, it can even handle a private chartered Boeing 737.

Posh Amenities for Jet-setters

KDEC’s state-of-the-art facility for both pilots and consumers is posh. Jet-setting  passengers and corporate management can enjoy furnished bedrooms, a movie theater with comfy leather recliners, courtesy vehicles, several kitchens, lounge areas and a washer and dryer.

Prior to the revamp of Bird’s Nest, Henriksen built Houston Executive Airport (KTME) from scratch, which opened January 2007 and has a 6,610-foot runway, FBO and general services. The airport is located in Waller County, roughly 28 nautical miles west of Downtown Houston and it’s in proximity to Brookshire.

One thing is for sure: whether you’re flying a roundtrip or on an empty-leg private air charter flight, KDEC and KTME has what it takes.