DEPARTMENT: Aviation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Jesus H. Saenz, Jr., IAP
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Briefing on the State of the San Antonio Airport System
SUMMARY:
This item provides a briefing on the state of the San Antonio Airport System, including an update on airport operations, the Strategic Development Plan and the 2021 Outlook.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
At the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States in mid-March 2020, the San Antonio International Airport (Airport) experienced a decline of enplaned passengers of 96% compared to 2019 with international air travel ceasing, and domestic flights declining sharply, impacting the concession, parking and ground transportation activities. On June 3, 2020, the Aviation Department provided a briefing to City Council highlighting new programs that focused on enhancing the safety of passengers, visitors and employees and building consumer confidence.
Passenger activity has steadily improved since April 2020. Over the past four weeks, the seven-day rolling average of enplaned passengers for the Airport has been a steady 40% of 2019 levels. In 2021, the Aviation Department is anticipating air service to continue to increase to meet pent-up travel demand. The Aviation Department will work with airlines to continue restoring markets halted during the pandemic, expanding service levels of current markets and identifying new airlines and market opportunities for the Airport.
Additionally, another impact of the COVID-19 outbreak was to the timeline of the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) as in-person public engagement, a key component to the development of the SDP, ceased and moved on-line. The data-driven SDP will produce a 20-year Master Plan for the Airport and examine the needs of the region from the airport system in the next 50 years. The strategic development planning process ultimately will produce development options regarding land use, facilities, and services required for the airport to accommodate the projected population growth and prosperity of the San Antonio region.
The Aviation Department briefed the City Council on the SDP at the October 31, 2018 B Session which proved that the current location of the Airport could handle the anticipated air travel and infrastructure needs of the community over the next 20 to 50 years. City Council agreed with the recommendation and approved moving forward with the second phase of the SDP to identify, analyze and ultimately recommend to Council the projects and timeline to meet the future air traffic needs of the community.
In February 2020, the Transportation and Mobility Council Committee was briefed on Phase 2 of the SDP, which includes the development of the airfield alternatives and the anticipated timeline for the completion of the SDP. While the COVID pandemic impacted and extended the timeline of the development of the SDP, staff and the consultants were able to continue technical work for the SDP.
ISSUE:
This presentation will provide City Council on the state of the San Antonio Airport System, including passenger activity and new programs implemented after the June 2020 B Session Briefing. This briefing will provide City Council with an update on the status of Phase 2 of the SDP to include proposals for mid-term and long-term airfield programs to enhance safety, support air service and accommodate long-term projected growth. Finally, the briefing will discuss the outlook for 2021 for the San Antonio Airport System including completing Phase 2 of the SDP, initiating the Terminal B Expansion project and preparing for the anticipated air service rebound.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for briefing purposes only.