The cornerstone project of a $2.5 billion effort to expand and modernize the San Antonio International Airport (SAT) — construction of a third terminal — is fully underway.

Addressing a crowd of airport workers and other guests at the construction site December 10, city officials alongside airport and project partners said a new terminal is key to improving and enlarging the facility. The goal is to accommodate increasing air traffic and travelers’ changing needs.

This will be San Antonio’s biggest capital project yet. Airport director Jesus Saenz said at the groundbreaking event that the overall airport expansion and upgrade project, dubbed Elevate SAT, will deliver on the promise of that name.

“It will elevate our airport, it will elevate the customer experience and it will elevate the region economically. It will elevate so many other efforts as well,” Saenz said.

Construction of a third terminal will result in:

• Up to 17 new gates
• More than 800,000 square feet of new terminal space
• 35,700 square feet of concessions space
• 29,000 square feet of club lounge space

  

Corgan/Lake Flato

A rendering of a new third terminal at the San Antonio International Airport. Scheduled for completion in 2028, the terminal will feature lots of natural lighting and new landscaping with walkways.

Other ongoing and planned Elevate SAT initiatives include construction of a ground load facility, a ground transportation center that will add hundreds of new parking spaces, and a new taxi and rideshare area, plus upgrades to existing airport facilities, roadways, and runways.

Speakers at the groundbreaking event said these improvements are designed to enhance the airport experience for visitors and passengers, keep up with demand, and position San Antonio to lure more direct flights and air carriers.

More than 10 million passengers fly in and out of San Antonio International Airport yearly – a daily average of 27,000. This year marked the airport’s busiest October on record, and the airport is on track to serve 11 million or more passengers for the first time in its history.

The new $1.2 billion terminal is due to open in 2028; the entire airport project is being financed with federal money, airport user fees and bonds, and other non-local taxpayer funding sources.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg thanked fellow city leaders, airport officials and advisory board members, and President Biden’s administration, whose Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal provided some funding for the project.

He said the airport will help to further San Antonio’s image as not just a tourist city but also one that's friendly to business development.

“(San Antonio airport) continues to rise to the occasion and meet the demand of our region's expansion,” Nirenberg said. “This new terminal, which is one element of a broader vision, will help the airport accomplish even more commercial growth, foster the development of important connections, and business opportunities for our entire region.”

The entire airport project will have a local economic impact of $2.8 billion, and generate more than 16,000 new jobs, local leaders said.

"Its development will create thousands of jobs, stimulate local businesses and bring long-term employment opportunities,” city manager Erik Walsh said. “Beyond the immediate economic benefits, it will lay the foundation for sustained growth, making our region a destination for innovation, investment, and prosperity.”