SAT Makes Strides Towards Recovery in 2021
2021 was a year of recovery at San Antonio International Airport. Passengers began returning to the airport, airlines resumed routes that were temporarily suspended, and concessionaires reopened their shops and restaurants. But that wasn’t all 2021 was about in San Antonio. 2021 was a year of new markets, new airlines, and finalizing plans for the future.
SAT’s Strategic Development Plan was completed and approved in 2021. This plan sets out the future for the airport. Located in one of the fastest growing regions in the country, SAT needs to expand their facilities for future growth. This 20-year plan calls for extending runways, adding more parking and concessions, safety enhancements, and a complete overhaul of the terminal facility including the construction of a third terminal.
Two new airlines touched down in San Antonio in 2021. The country’s newest airline, Breeze Airways, launched service from SAT in July to Northwest Arkansas. JetBlue Airways arrived at SAT at the end of October bringing new nonstops to New York and Boston. San Antonio to Boston had long been one of the largest unserved routes in the country and top of the airport’s target list. The airport’s existing carriers also started new service. Summer-seasonal service to Cancun on Sun Country, holiday-seasonal service to Colorado Springs on Southwest, and a brand-new international destination, Leon/Guanajuato, on VivaAerobus all launched during the year.
SAT experienced incredible international passenger growth which fueled the airport’s recovery throughout 2021. Total international passengers grew 59% in 2021 compared to 2019 which itself was a record-breaking year. SAT offered more international seats than any other medium-hub airport in the United States in 2021. VivaAerobus is the largest international airline serving SAT with service to three destinations in Mexico. Other airlines serving international destinations include Aeromexico, Southwest, Sun Country, and Volaris.
2022 is promising to be another productive year and San Antonio is very excited to kick it off by welcoming you all to our city for Routes Americas 2022!