Regional News

Oct 2024

SATX360 Newsletter | Connecting SATX's Future

Staff Reports

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President POV

We are making bold strides toward a transformative future for the San Antonio region. As I wrote about last month, through strategic collaboration and a shared vision as OneSATX, we are driving meaningful progress that will create generational change. Expanding air service connectivity plays a key role in this transformation, positioning San Antonio International Airport (SAT) as a gateway for growth, opportunity, and prosperity. 

Our partnership with Visit San Antonio has kept us laser-focused on enhancing nonstop service at SAT—and our efforts are paying off. SAT has been on quite the winning streak, consistently breaking traveler records and growing air service capacity. Over the past year, we’ve celebrated major milestones, including San Antonio’s first-ever trans-Atlantic flight to Frankfurt and expanded service to Queretaro, Mexico. In less than weeks, Delta will launch new service to Boston, elevating the service at SAT and further solidifying its role as a hub for both business and leisure travelers. 

Earlier this month, we achieved another major milestone when the Department of Transportation (DOT) granted preliminary approval for a long-awaited nonstop route between SAT and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C. For decades, San Antonio lacked direct access to DCA, our most underserved domestic market. This approval reflects years of persistent advocacy, including support from Congress, to unlock direct connectivity to the heart of the nation’s capital. 

Based on the DOT’s preliminary order, we expect the department to issue final approval around November 6. Once approved, airlines will have 90 days to begin service, giving American Airlines until February 4, 2025, to inaugurate the route—though it could launch sooner. American has already announced that the new route will feature special flight numbers: Flight 1718 from DCA to SAT will commemorate the year San Antonio was founded, while Flight 1947 from SAT to DCA will honor the year the U.S. Air Force became an independent service branch. 

This new route offers more than convenience—it unlocks economic opportunities. Direct access to D.C. will be a game-changer for key sectors in San Antonio, such as military and defense contracting, cybersecurity, financial services, and aerospace, deepening connections with Northern Virginia and the nation’s policymaking hub. It strengthens our ability to attract new businesses, retain employers, and foster expansion. With the SAT-DCA route in place, SAT’s role as an engine of regional growth is further cemented, driving business opportunities, fostering new relationships, and improving travel experiences for residents and visitors alike. 

The timing could not be better. SAT has recorded 17 consecutive months of record-breaking passenger traffic and is on pace to exceed 11 million passengers this year. This momentum highlights the growing demand for more nonstop flights and new destinations. It also reinforces the importance of continued investments in infrastructure and connectivity to support the long-term economic vitality of our community. 

Looking ahead, I am filled with excitement as we prepare to launch new service on Delta and American in the coming weeks and welcome Condor Airlines back next summer. Now, it’s up to all of us to keep this momentum going. When planning your next trip, choose SAT and book those flights—summer will be here before you know it! Together, we can show that San Antonio not only deserves but can sustain expanded air service to even more destinations. 

These achievements are possible because of our commitment to working together as OneSATX. When the public and private sectors align behind shared objectives, we unlock transformational opportunities that push the entire region forward. With each new route, each new investment, and every new milestone, we are building a stronger, more connected San Antonio—one that is poised to thrive for generations to come. We will continue to invest in our place and people to grow jobs and economic mobility.   

Greater Together,

Jenna Saucedo-Herrera

Regional Updates

Regional Partner Highlight: Go Medina

Rich in history and community spirit, Medina County has always been a place where neighbors feel like family and where local support fuels success. With a legacy dating back to its founding in the mid-1800s, Medina County has grown into a business-friendly environment, offering easy access to San Antonio, low tax rates, and open land ideal for development. Through partnerships led by Go Medina, the community continues to flourish, balancing growth with small-town charm to create an inviting place to live, work, and thrive.

Manufacturing Month in SATX

October is National Manufacturing Month, and San Antonio is thriving as a hub of advanced manufacturing, supporting over 61,000 jobs and contributing $10 billion to the local GDP. With recent wins including 1,597 new jobs and nearly $1 billion in capital investments, sectors like Automotive and Aircraft Sustainment continue to expand, buoyed by major players like Toyota and Boeing. With strong local talent pipelines from universities and colleges, San Antonio is poised for even greater growth, making it an exciting time for manufacturing in the region. 

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