DEPARTMENT: Aviation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Jesus H. Saenz, Jr., IAP
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Briefing on the Airport System readiness in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Presentation will provide an overview of the on-going efforts to maintain and build consumer confidence of passengers, visitors and employees in the San Antonio Airport System.
SUMMARY:
A briefing on the efforts of the San Antonio Airport System on its readiness plan for handling the on-going impact to air travel caused by COVID-19. Nationwide, passenger travel dropped 96 percent, causing airlines to reduce flights and concessionaires to close their locations. Modeling shows that air travel is not expected to return to early March 2020 levels for three to five years.
Since the start of the virus, the San Antonio Airport System initiated enhanced cleaning and safety distance protocols and performed readiness projects with a focus on the safety of the passengers, visitors and employees of the airport. Additionally, the airport system reduced its expenses as part of the Mid-Year FY 2020 Aviation Department Budget action and initiated an Airport Stakeholder COVID-19 Task Force with airlines, concessionaires, tenants and federal agencies to provide a comprehensive approach to the recovery efforts.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Beginning in mid-March 2020, the San Antonio International Airport experienced a decline of enplaned passengers of 96% compared to 2019 and an overall monthly decline of 95.1% in April 2020. International air travel ceased, and domestic flights declined sharply, impacting the concession, parking and ground transportation activities. The Airport System initiated several programs focused on the safety of the passengers, visitors and employees of the airport to maintain and build consumer confidence at the airport, including:
* Enhanced sanitization efforts throughout the public and private spaces in the airport system, including additional periodic clea...
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