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.
In the News
Record enrollment at San Antonio colleges as ‘Promise’ programs expand access: New buildings, programs and expanded financial aid offerings have more students pursuing higher education across San Antonio. Alamo Colleges, UTSA, and Texas A&M-San Antonio all posted record enrollment this semester.
Weston Urban opens doors to 32-story apartment tower in downtown San Antonio: Built by developer Weston Urban with Rogers-O’Brien Construction, 300 Main spans an entire city block and, at 32 stories, easily beats out San Antonio’s urban office and hotel towers as one of the tallest buildings on the skyline.
Port San Antonio lands another cyber defense firm; Capital Factory spaces now full: X8 LLC., a small government contractor based in Hanover, Md., is opening an office at Capital Factory. It’s currently working on about a half dozen contracts or task orders, including some that support Air Force cyber units in San Antonio.
Pape-Dawson acquires KSA Engineers, adding 170 employees: Pape-Dawson has acquired Longview, Texas-based KSA Engineers, bolstering its workforce by 170 team members across 11 offices in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
Toyota begins construction of $531M axle plant, which adds 400 jobs in S.A.: The automaker has begun construction of a $531 million rear axle assembly plant at its South Side plant to bring in-house the production of the drivetrain component that will be used in the Sequoia SUVs and Tundra pickups it builds in San Antonio.
Alamo Colleges wins its second Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in six years: The Alamo Colleges District has again won the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award, one of the highest honors a college can receive.
USAA donates nearly $3M to hurricane relief efforts after Helene, Milton: USAA and its members have dedicated almost $3 million to support those who have felt the impact of these destructive natural disasters.
This San Antonio program helps businesses export goods globally: greater:SATX leads the Export Leaders Program, a unique service that helps San Antonio’s entrepreneurs expand global opportunities for success while retaining and creating jobs.
Texas adds record number of jobs, boosting state’s labor force to a high of 15.5M: Texas’ labor force hit a new high in September with 15.45 million people on the job or looking for work. In the San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area, unemployment fell slightly to 3.8%.
Navajo Nation-owned IT company expands into Port San Antonio: Diné Development Corporation will become the latest tenant at the Capital Factory within the Boeing Center at Tech Port, offering engineering, professional and environmental solutions.
SA revs up corporate recruitment at Austin F1 race: Austin’s recent Formula 1 race is expected to generate an economic impact for the city in the neighborhood of a billion dollars, and San Antonio is seeking to grab some of that action.
Want to work on jet engines? StandardAero is training the next generation in San Antonio: As the company grows, they decided to train workers on the job, creating a 12-week program that would pay new employees to learn the basics.
Manufacturing jobs are making a comeback in Texas: Manufacturing employment nationwide is now slightly above pre-pandemic levels, and Texas is leading the way. There are more than 1,600 manufacturers in San Antonio that employ more than 61,000 people, per greater:SATX, the region's economic development nonprofit.