Austin Travelers Ate 883K Breakfast Tacos, 58 Tons Of Brisket

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Earlier this week, Austin-Bergstom International Airport officials alerted to a record-breaking year in passenger traffic — 15.9 million people traveling through the hub last year for a 13.9 percent increase. But record numbers also were posted in the number of breakfast tacos munched by travelers en route to their destinations.

Travelers experiencing the airport's art and music programs along with dining options really put a dent on food and souvenir sales. To wit:

• 833,507 breakfast tacos were consumed.
• 151,107 Thundercloud Sub sandwiches too;
• 112,269 pounds (58.1 tons) of brisket was enjoyed;
• 56,978 T-shirts sold in 2018, with Core Austin and ACL shirts being the most popular, were purchased;
• 24,528 mugs were bought;
• 24,284 yogurt cups were slurped;
• 21,024 Lone Star beers (the top-selling brand) were guzzled;
• 19,375 shakes and smoothies were sipped;
• 995 live music performances, making for a total of 12,270 live performances and counting since opening in 1999, were heard;
• 495 kegs of Real Ale Axis IPA, the top-selling draft or tap beer, followed by Pearl Snap Draft, Shiner Bock, and Austin 512 IPA, were tapped out;

Additionally, airport officials said, Austin travelers exhibited their affinity for art. The creative energy and cultural diversity of Austin was showcased, with more than 60 artists’ works exhibited in 2018. The program enabled individual local artists and organizations, such as the Austin Mosaic Guild and La Peña Latino Arts Organizatio,n to exhibit more than $117,000 worth of art last year.

Related story: Austin Airport Breaks Passenger Traffic Record

"Increased demand for air service also means that more airport-related jobs and local economic activity are generated," airport officials noted. "According to the latest TXDOT (Texas Department of Transportation) Economic Impact Study, the Austin airport generated $7.6 billion dollars in economic activity and supports more than 74,000 jobs in the Austin area."

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>>> Image provided by Austin-Bergstrom International Airport