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San Antonio airport receives contract clearance for new terminal work

San Antonio International Airport Terminal C rendering

San Antonio International Airport has been given clearance to start working with contractors on the new terminal.

San Antonio International Airport (SAT)/Facebook

Things are really about to take off at San Antonio International Airport (SAT). Not that it hasn't already been doing well — it has recently garnered heaps of praise from blogs and other publications for its short wait times, new nonstop international flights, and generally stress-free experience. In July, SAT recorded its busiest day ever, with 41,560 passengers passing through the airport in any direction.

Still, an overhaul is currently in the works, as initially approved in 2021. Most notably, that included a new, third terminal, which is where the newest efforts are being funneled.

At a City Council meeting on December 12, the airport saw "several contracts and agreements" approved within the the Terminal Development Program (TDP) and the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR).

Of those contracts, the largest has a cap of $1 billion. The City Manager is now authorized to negotiate and execute work with global aviation terminal contractor Hensel Phelps Construction Co., which has done work at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), plus other major hubs outside of Texas like Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

“SAT’s new terminal is going to generate approximately 6,000 direct and indirect jobs,” said San Antonio Airport System's director of airports, Jesus Saenz, in a news release. “More than 85% of the CMR contract is expected to go to local contractors – which will have a major, beneficial impact on our community.”

The new terminal project will include a 17-gate concourse; The existing Terminals A and B have 15 and 10, respectively. It will also have a Federal Inspection Service area (for processing international travelers), expanded ground transportation and parking, and other less public-facing features for utility improvements.

Renderings shared in February showed an airy design full of natural wood, windows, and greenery. Also in the plans are a landscaped walkway between the curb and terminal, and more than 29,000 square feet of lounge space. Saenz estimated then that construction would begin around winter of 2024.

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Airline News

San Antonio gets nonstop flights to this Washington, DC airport

Photo courtesy of American Airlines

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American Airlines will soon introduce long-awaited nonstop flights between San Antonio (SAT) and Washington, D.C. (DCA). One flight will be scheduled daily, starting in March.

Tickets for the new service will be available on sale starting December 23 through aa.com or American’s mobile app.

The route was tentatively announced in October, but the U.S. Department of Transportation has now formally approved the application by American Airlines.

“This new service will offer convenient nonstop access to our nation’s capital for San Antonians, while helping further connect customers to our comprehensive global network," said Brian Znotins, American’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning, in a press release. "American thanks the many elected officials and citizens who supported our application, and we look forward to welcoming customers onboard this new service soon.”

Flight 1718, reflecting the year San Antonio was founded, will depart SAT at 6:35 am and arrive in DCA at 10:41 am. Flight 1947, reflecting the year the U.S. Air Force was established, will depart DCA at 7:45 pm and arrive in SAT at 10:43 pm.

“This long-awaited connection to our nation’s capital is a game changer for our community, opening doors to countless opportunities for travel and economic development,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “I’m grateful to those who have championed this effort and for the bipartisan support of our representatives in the Senate and House, whose advocacy was instrumental in making these flights a reality. We look forward to the positive impact this nonstop service will have for years to come."

San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh echoed the sentiments about economic development and pointed out some growth already happening in San Antonio. The release also notes that San Antonio is the largest city in Texas lacking nonstop service to DCA and the largest city in the U.S. with a majority Hispanic population without nonstop service to DCA.

“Serving the fastest-growing city in the country, SAT has achieved record-breaking passenger numbers throughout 2024. This nonstop service to and from DCA addresses a need for our military, business, educational and research communities, among others. It also promotes competition and offers more travel options for passengers flying to and from San Antonio, enhancing connectivity as we continue making progress on the airport Terminal Development Program.”

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