In the summer of 2022, whispers began circulating that Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur behind Tesla, SpaceX, and The Boring Company, was planning to build a private airport near Austin, Texas. The rumor, first reported by local outlet Austonia, suggested that the airfield would be located near Bastrop, east of Austin, to serve Musk and his executives while supporting the operations of his numerous companies in the region. However, Musk quickly dismissed the speculation, calling it “silly” given the proximity of Tesla’s headquarters to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Now, as of May 14, 2025, with Musk’s influence in Texas only growing, it’s worth revisiting this rumor to explore the feasibility of such a project, Musk’s current endeavors in the Lone Star State, and what his future plans might hold.
The 2022 Rumor: A Private Airport for a Billionaire’s Empire
The initial rumor about Musk’s private airport emerged in late July 2022, when Austonia reported that multiple sources had confirmed conceptual plans for a new airfield east of Austin, near Bastrop. The proposed location made strategic sense: Bastrop is roughly 20 miles east of Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas, a sprawling 2,500-acre facility along the Colorado River that serves as Tesla’s global headquarters. The Boring Company, Musk’s tunneling and infrastructure firm, had also recently purchased 73 acres in northwest Bastrop, with plans to build an 80,000-square-foot warehouse and manufacturing facility for testing its tunneling technology, known as “Prufrock.” Additionally, The Boring Company had relocated its headquarters to Pflugerville, a suburb just north of Austin, and SpaceX was expanding its presence in Texas, with a facility in Bastrop County and its Starship rocket testing site in Boca Chica, South Texas.
The rumored airport was envisioned as a private hub for Musk and his executives, who frequently travel on Musk’s fleet of corporate jets, including a 2015 Gulfstream G650ER, two Gulfstream G550s, and a Dassault Falcon 900B. Musk’s air travel habits are well-documented—according to ElonJet.net, a tracking service, his private jet logged 382 flights in 2020 alone, often flying to and from airports near his companies’ facilities. A private airport near Bastrop would have placed Musk within minutes of his key operations, potentially streamlining travel logistics for Tesla, SpaceX, and The Boring Company. Sources speculated that the airfield could also service these companies’ operations, supporting the movement of personnel and materials across Musk’s Texas-based empire.
However, building a private airport is no small feat. It requires approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), compliance with environmental standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and adherence to local regulations. The FAA would need to assess how a new facility would interact with existing airports in the region, such as Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, located just five miles from Gigafactory Texas, and Austin Executive Airport, a general aviation facility in Pflugerville with a 6,025-foot runway and over 130,000 square feet of hangar space. Analysts at the time noted that while private airports are not uncommon—some, like the Google Terminal at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, cater to the ultra-rich—the process of building and maintaining one is complex and costly, even for someone with Musk’s resources.
Musk’s Denial and the Logic Behind It
The rumor gained traction quickly, with outlets like Fox Business, The Daily Mail, and The Independent reporting on the potential project. Some saw it as a logical move for Musk, who had relocated to Texas in 2020 to be closer to SpaceX’s South Texas facility and Tesla’s new headquarters. Musk’s companies own thousands of acres in Central Texas, including 2,100 acres for Gigafactory Texas alone, and a private airport could have solidified his commitment to the region. As one analyst noted in 2022, “It’s a coup for Austin to have Tesla in their backyard, and a private airport would be doubling down on keeping Musk in Austin for years to come.”
But on August 4, 2022, Musk took to X to set the record straight. “Not true,” he tweeted in response to a San Antonio Express-News article. “Tesla is 5 mins from Austin International airport. Would be silly to build another private airport, however, the existing commercial airport needs another runway, as Austin is growing fast!” Musk’s denial was echoed by local officials—Bastrop County’s director of tourism and economic development, Adena Lewis, confirmed that there had been no formal communication with the county regarding an airport, and the FAA reported no proposals for a new airfield in the area.
Musk’s reasoning made sense. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the second-fastest-growing mid-sized airport in the U.S., is indeed just a five-minute drive from Gigafactory Texas, making a private airport seem redundant. Musk instead suggested that the existing commercial airport needed expansion to accommodate Austin’s rapid growth, a pragmatic stance that aligned with his focus on efficiency. Analysts also pointed out that Musk’s jet had frequently used large-scale airports like Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the fifth-busiest in the world, suggesting that privacy might not be his primary concern when it came to air travel.
Musk’s Growing Footprint in Texas: A 2025 Perspective
Fast forward to May 2025, and Musk’s presence in Texas has only deepened, even as his public image has become increasingly polarizing. Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas remains a cornerstone of his operations, producing the Model Y and other vehicles despite recent financial challenges—Tesla’s profits reportedly dropped by 71% in early 2025, amid vandalism and protests at dealerships over Musk’s right-wing activism. The Boring Company continues to expand in the region, with plans for a potential Austin-to-San Antonio tunnel loop for commuters, though progress has been slow. SpaceX’s Starship program in Boca Chica has made significant strides, with Musk dubbing the site the “gateway to Mars,” and a new facility in Bastrop County is reportedly in development.
Beyond his corporate ventures, Musk has also left a mark on Texas’s landscape in other ways. In April 2025, Tesla submitted plans for the GFTX Riverfront Eco-Park to Travis County’s economic development office, fulfilling a promise Musk made when he first pitched Austin on Tesla in 2020. The proposed park, which would stretch along the Colorado River from the Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory to Austin’s Colony, includes 25 miles of new walking trails, 18 miles of biking trails, a 31.5-acre outdoor workplace for Tesla employees, and a 290-acre public waterfront greenspace. The plan aims to expand habitat, improve biodiversity, and engage local communities, though Tesla’s factory has faced criticism for environmental and safety violations, including fines and a lawsuit from the family of a worker, Victor Joe Gomez Sr., who died at the facility in August 2024.
Musk’s role in the Trump administration as co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has also kept him in the spotlight. Since Trump’s re-election in November 2024, Musk has been instrumental in cutting federal spending, reportedly saving $140 billion by May 2025, with a goal of $1 trillion. However, his aggressive policies have drawn backlash, contributing to a decline in his approval ratings—only 35% of Americans approved of his role in the administration as of April 2025, according to an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll. Despite these challenges, Musk’s influence in Texas remains undeniable, raising the question: could a private airport still be on the horizon?
Examining the Feasibility in 2025
While Musk dismissed the idea of a private airport in 2022, the concept isn’t entirely far-fetched in 2025. Austin’s growth has continued unabated—Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has struggled with capacity issues, and Musk’s suggestion for an additional runway has yet to materialize. A private airport could alleviate some of that pressure while giving Musk greater control over his travel logistics, especially as his companies expand. The Boring Company’s 73-acre plot in Bastrop, originally intended for a warehouse, could theoretically be repurposed for a small airfield, though no such plans have been reported since 2022.
Financially, Musk has the resources to make it happen. With a net worth of over $2 trillion as of early 2025, he could easily fund a project on the scale of the Google Terminal, which cost $82 million. A private airport could also align with Musk’s long-term vision of transforming Texas into a hub for innovation, complementing projects like the GFTX Riverfront Eco-Park and SpaceX’s ambitious goals for Mars colonization. However, the same hurdles from 2022 remain: FAA approvals, environmental regulations, and local opposition could delay or derail such a project. Additionally, Musk’s jet—a new Gulfstream G700, delivered in early 2023—has continued to use Austin-Bergstrom without issue, suggesting that the need for a private airport may not be as pressing as once thought.
Public sentiment is another factor. Musk’s polarizing political involvement and Tesla’s environmental controversies have made him a contentious figure in Texas. Local response to his companies’ expansion has been mixed—while some welcome the economic benefits, others criticize the environmental impact and safety issues. A private airport, often associated with the excesses of the ultra-rich, could exacerbate these tensions, especially given the environmental concerns surrounding private jet emissions.
What’s Next for Musk in Texas?
As of May 14, 2025, there are no concrete indications that Musk is revisiting plans for a private airport near Austin. His focus appears to be elsewhere—scaling back his role in DOGE, addressing Tesla’s financial woes, and advancing SpaceX’s Starship program. The GFTX Riverfront Eco-Park, if realized, could be a significant legacy project, showcasing Musk’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement in Texas. Meanwhile, The Boring Company’s tunneling initiatives, though ambitious, have yet to deliver transformative infrastructure in the region.
That said, Musk is known for defying expectations. The entrepreneur who once seemed unlikely to build a private airport might reconsider if the strategic benefits outweigh the costs. For now, the rumor of a private airport near Austin remains just that—a rumor. But with Musk’s track record of turning bold ideas into reality, it’s a possibility that can’t be entirely ruled out. As Texas continues to grow as a hub for Musk’s empire, the world will be watching to see what the billionaire does next—whether it’s on the ground, in the air, or beyond.
