San Antonio International Airport News & Updates

[theOGalexd]

Originally Posted by satx23

SAT-FRA numbers for the month of May posted on airliners.net

Inbound
passengers 852
seats 2,170
39.3%

Outbound
passengers 1,375
seats 1,860
73.9%

Outbound is one less flight than inbound because it goes by the day it lands. The last flight of the month was on the last day of the month, so it landed (and counts) in June

I guess we'll have to see how this plays out over the rest of the summer. Hopefully it picks up some. I wonder if maybe they're not doing enough with marketing, especially inbound? A330 might be too big of a plane too honestly.

[babysal]

This looks like it a right sizing for next summer. Minus the midweek (Wednesday) flight, the passenger loads for the busier Monday & Friday flights should be even more healthy.

Here are some snippets from the article.

By Richard Webner
San Antonio Express News
Updated June 25, 2024 2:05 p.m.

https://www.expressnews.com/business...t-19539000.php

“Despite global issues including engine recalls, equipment delays and pilot shortages, the fact that our San Antonio region has secured a trans-Atlantic flight for a second year and has initiated conversations around 2026 is a huge win for our market,” said Jamie Bloodsworth Lutrell, a spokesperson for Greater: SATX, the regional economic development corporation. “We are already proving the demand for nonstop travel to Europe.”

It isn’t uncommon for new routes to be adjusted “as airlines work to determine what works best,” Lutrell said.

“A Monday-Friday schedule for summer travel to and from Europe works well, and we understand that those are currently the busiest nights for the Condor service,” she said.

[babysal]

Erin Rodriguez,
Senior Public Information Officer
San Antonio International Airport

SAN ANTONIO (June 25, 2024) — As summer travel heats up, San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is on a back-to-back record-breaking streak with monthly passenger numbers being the highest-ever recorded every month since May 2023. Last month, a total of 974,078 passengers flew through SAT – setting another record for the busiest May in the airport’s history. With the Fourth of July holiday approaching, almost 300,000 travelers will be flying in and out of SAT from Saturday, June 29, through Sunday, July 7.

SAT is kicking off a campaign to share travel tips with the message, “It Takes 2.” – to focus on arriving at least two hours prior to boarding time – not departure time. Boarding times vary by airline. Travelers can find their flight’s boarding time on their boarding pass.

Also, travelers should use the following time frames when planning their trips:

• Domestic flights: Arrive at least 2 hours before boarding time.
• International flights: Arrive at least 3 hours before boarding time.

“Arriving early at SAT is key this summer,” said Jesus Saenz, Director of Airports, City of San Antonio Aviation Department. “We want every traveler to have a smooth experience as we continue to grow and see more people flying to their destinations. By getting here early, you will have time to navigate through check-in, security and the terminals. Our travelers can have a successful start to their summer vacation by following this advice.”

Jacob Tyler, Air Service Administrator for SAT, points out that 2023 was the busiest year in SAT’s history with nearly 10.7 million passengers flying through the airport’s two terminals.

“This exciting trend with yet another increase in travelers has continued with May 2024,” Tyler said. “Comparing the numbers to the year prior, the airport experienced a 5% increase in passengers compared to May 2023.”

To better accommodate international travelers, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection at SAT, which performs Global Entry interviews seven days a week, is now offering double the number of appointments for conditionally approved applicants on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. SAT’s website has information on how to schedule an appointment.

Travelers with questions about what they can pack should visit TSA’s website and/or TSA’s social media platforms.

For more information on SAT’s 45 nonstop destinations, please visit the airport’s website.

[texboy]

HDRC Approved the new terminal plans on Friday...

Something of note, one of the pictures in here shows that the new Ground transportation center's location has changed to what is probably a more suitable location.

Existing structures to be razed for San Antonio’s new airport terminal

Before a new terminal can be built at the San Antonio International Airport, officials say some existing structures must be razed, and at least one is historic.

On Friday, the Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) approved the new terminal plans, the largest piece of the multi-project, $2.5 billion airport strategic development plan approved by City Council in November 2021.

Their approval came after a lengthy back-and-forth with aviation officials, architects and engineers over how the airport layout could be revised to avoid demolishing Building 1322, a distinctive 1960s-era structure that serves as the Badge ID building at the airport.

[babysal]

W. Scott Bailey
Senior Reporter, San Antonio Business Journal
Jul 1, 2024

A continued rise in demand for seats to and from San Antonio could help city land more flights.

Nearly a million passengers boarded flights to and from San Antonio International Airport in May, setting another record for a city that has continued to stack one historic count on top of another. The timing of that extended streak is key as the Alamo City continues to recruit airlines and flights, including nonstop service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport near D.C.

San Antonio’s passenger tally for May topped 974,000. That trumps the previous high point for the month set in 2019. San Antonio International also set new monthly records in January, February, March and April. Over the first five months of this year, SAT has handled nearly 4.4 million passengers — a nearly 7% increase in traffic over the same period a year ago.

The Alamo City airport is currently on pace to top its record traffic in 2023, when nearly 10.7 million passengers moved through its two terminals. That assent comes as SAT is advancing plans for a $2.5 billion expansion. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg believes the city can make a compelling case for D.C. flights based on multiple factors including a continued spike in airport traffic that’s captured the attention of airlines.

Among the domestic carriers that have seen a spike in San Antonio traffic is American Airlines. It’s share of the SAT passenger total grew from 19.9% in May 2023 to 21.1% last month. American has vowed to take the lead in trying to secure new nonstop flights from SAT to DCA. That pursuit was made possible after President Joe Biden signed into law in May new Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act legislation that will free up five new slots.

Access to DCA had been limited by a federal Perimeter Rule established in 1966 that blocked air access from several markets including San Antonio, the largest U.S. city without nonstop flights to Reagan National. “We're prepared to make a very robust case about the importance of providing direct service to San Antonio,” American Airlines Executive Vice President Nate Gallen.

[JACKinBeantown]

In the probably close to 100 times I've flown in and out of SAT, I've never noticed that building. But there it is.
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.5278...5409&entry=ttu

[Runner]

Originally Posted by JACKinBeantown

In the probably close to 100 times I've flown in and out of SAT, I've never noticed that building. But there it is.
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.5278...5409&entry=ttu

Omg. Do not let this get in the way of progress. Bring it down.

[JACKinBeantown]

It's the purple building next to the green walkway. Is "GTC" Ground Transportation Center (buses, etc.)? They should make it a cool barstaurant.


https://i0.wp.com/sanantonioreport.o...g?w=1123&ssl=1

[texboy]

Originally Posted by JACKinBeantown

It's the purple building next to the green walkway. Is "GTC" Ground Transportation Center (buses, etc.)? They should make it a cool barstaurant.


https://i0.wp.com/sanantonioreport.o...g?w=1123&ssl=1

The green building is the GTC. That is currently where the “historic“ building sits right now.

[JACKinBeantown]

I think it's actually in between where we each said... where the angled part of the green walkway is on the plan. If so, it could easily be incorporated into a restaurant or something as part of the walkway.

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.5279...!1e3?entry=ttu


It's the sister of this building on 35 on the northeast side. I always liked that building as a kid.
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.5360...5409&entry=ttu

[texboy]

Originally Posted by JACKinBeantown

I think it's actually in between where we each said... where the angled part of the green walkway is on the plan. If so, it could easily be incorporated into a restaurant or something as part of the walkway.

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.5279...!1e3?entry=ttu


It's the sister of this building on 35 on the northeast side. I always liked that building as a kid.
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.5360...5409&entry=ttu

Got it!

Also of note... and not sure how accurate the depiction of the terminal building is in the graphic, but it appears theres been some pretty notable and nice changes to the shape not only of the exterior curbise, but also the facade at the angle at curbside, i.e bigger windows, different roofline etc. I'm here for it if thats the case. I just hope the atrium hasn't been taken out.

[satx]

Does anyone know what has gone wrong with the airport parking? Today, every single lot was full, including green, and they were diverting long term parking into the cell phone lot. Some of the employees said it had been like this for months, and attributed it to various things like the valet parking, the CONRAC, or a private company taking over the parking operations. Anyone know what is going on? It took half an hour driving from lot to lot and getting redirected by employees at every lot.

[Keep-SA-Lame]

I read in an article about the airport recently that it's just straight up overcapacity, particularly during the summer travel season.

[starvinggryphon]

As someone who travels out of the airport every week for business I can confirm that it's been at overcapacity for months now (I think it began in February). If you fly out in the first morning flights the security lane always snakes down the length of the A Terminal check-in hall down to B Terminal. It's been insane and there is never any place to sit as all seating is taken and there are people sitting on the floor. Also every flight to Atlanta, Detroit, LA, SLC and JFK is always entirely full.

Also of note - I always encounter Germans these days asking about rental cars or the weather... it's a great time.

[FightOn!]

This expansion can't come soon enough! It's honestly great to see the airport growing so fast, but I hope not to feel the same pain points Austin has been feeling post-covid.

Earlier in this thread, we were just talking about how SAT is a safe haven in comparison to Austin. It still is no doubt, but the airport is growing rapidly.

[texboy]

Just shy of the 1 million mark for June, up almost 5% YOY.

Record Breaking Months Continue for San Antonio International Airport (SAT)

In June 2024, the airport’s passenger numbers reached 996,249. SAT once again broke a monthly passenger record with this June being the busiest in the airport’s history. The previous record for June was set last year in 2023. 2023 was the busiest year in SAT’s history with nearly 10.7 million passengers flying through the airport’s two terminals. This trend has continued with June 2024 continuing the record for back-to-back record-breaking months that started over a year ago in May 2023. Comparing the numbers to the year prior, the airport experienced a 5% increase in passengers compared to June 2023.

[Tornado]

No in depth passenger breakouts? Was hoping for some condor updates

[JACKinBeantown]

This is an article from a couple weeks ago.

City closes in on new airport terminal construction
Enabling work on the heart of the $2.5 billion SAT expansion could begin before the end of the year.

https://www.bizjournals.com/sananton...struction.html

[AI0120]

Originally Posted by Tornado

No in depth passenger hunger breakouts? Was hoping for some condor updates

Wish SAT would post airline numbers like they used to.

But they do post percentages so numbers can be figured out that way.

SAT had 73,297 international passengers in June. Condor carried 6.9% of those passengers which equates to 5057 passengers. Condor operated 25 flights in June, 13 outbound (that May 31 flight landed on June 1) and 12 inbound. Comes out to about 202 passengers per flight or about a 65% load factor.

[texboy]

Originally Posted by AI0120

Wish SAT would post airline numbers like they used to.

But they do post percentages so numbers can be figured out that way.

SAT had 73,297 international passengers in June. Condor carried 6.9% of those passengers which equates to 5057 passengers. Condor operated 25 flights in June, 13 outbound (that May 31 flight landed on June 1) and 12 inbound. Comes out to about 202 passengers per flight or about a 65% load factor.

Not horrible actually... If it was a 757 or even a 767, they'd probably have full load factors most of the time. Moving this to just Monday/Friday was probably a good decision and will help to keep the flight around past 2025. There's plenty of international flights out of mid size airports around the country here that only operate a couple days a week.