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 require...
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