Where is Austin Executive Airport (EDC) located?

EDC is 12 miles northeast of downtown Austin, just off SH-130 near Pflugerville. Closest to North Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, and Lakeway.

What aircraft can use EDC?

EDC handles everything from turboprops to heavy jets including Gulfstream G450 and Global Express. The 6,025-ft runway accommodates virtually all business aircraft except the largest ultra-long-range types.

Is EDC faster than AUS for a private jet departure?

Usually yes. EDC has no commercial traffic, shorter taxi times, faster TSA-free boarding, and quicker fuel turns. Total time from car to wheels-up is often 10–15 minutes shorter than AUS.

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Airports

Austin Executive Airport EDC: Why Private Jet Travelers Choose It Over AUS

Five reasons North Austin's preferred private aviation field beats AUS for most charters under heavy iron.

James R. Mitchell April 28, 2026 8 min read

Austin Executive Airport (EDC) opened in 2011 as a purpose-built general aviation alternative to AUS. Fourteen years later it is the field of choice for a growing share of Austin private jet travelers — and the operational reasons are easy to count.

1. No Commercial Traffic

AUS handles 22 million commercial passengers a year. EDC handles only general aviation. That means no holds for commercial departures, no waiting behind heavy airline traffic on taxi, no airspace congestion in the terminal area. Wheels up is when the aircraft is ready, not when ATC clears a queue.

2. Faster Ramp Access

The drive from a Round Rock office to the EDC FBO door is 12 minutes off-peak. From the FBO door to boarding is another 3 minutes. From boarding to wheels up is typically 8 minutes. AUS, by contrast, is 25–35 minutes from North Austin plus a longer FBO-to-runway taxi. For North Austin travelers EDC saves 30+ minutes per departure.

3. Closer to Tech Campuses and Ranches

EDC sits within 15 minutes of major North Austin tech campuses (Dell, Samsung, Apple), the Cedar Park/Liberty Hill ranch belt, and the Hill Country exurbs. For executives based on the north side of the metro, EDC is genuinely the closer airport — by 20+ minutes versus AUS.

4. Quieter, More Discreet Experience

EDC's single FBO is smaller and more boutique than the AUS facilities. Crews recognize repeat travelers. There is no commercial-passenger traffic in the parking area. The arrival and departure experience feels deliberately private — and it is one of the underrated reasons high-profile travelers prefer EDC.

5. Aircraft Availability

A significant portion of Austin-based charter aircraft are positioned at EDC. For light jets, midsize jets, and turboprops in particular, EDC frequently has the right aircraft in market when AUS does not — and the operator-cost structure at EDC sometimes produces marginally better all-in pricing.

Where AUS Still Wins

AUS is the right choice when: you need full international customs/immigration on the field, you are flying a heavy or ultra-long-range aircraft that exceeds EDC's runway capability, or your origin is downtown/South Austin where the AUS drive is shorter than EDC. For these cases AUS remains the natural Austin private jet airport.

How to Decide for Your Trip

Tell your charter coordinator your origin point, party size, and destination. They will recommend AUS or EDC based on aircraft availability, traffic patterns, and your ground logistics. For most trips it is a simple call — and increasingly the answer is EDC.

Read the full EDC airport guide or request a quote specifying EDC.

About the Author

James R. Mitchell

Private aviation consultant with 15+ years arranging charter flights across Texas and the United States. NBAA member. Specializes in matching executives and groups to the right aircraft for the mission.