This month, Frontier Airlines announced the addition of seasonal, non-stop flights to nine new destinations, beginning in August: Albuquerque, NM; Charlotte, NC; Cleveland, OH; Columbus, OH; Jacksonville, FL; Memphis, TN; Oklahoma City, OK; Omaha, NE; and Tulsa, OK. This brings their total to 24 destinations from San Antonio International (SAT), making them the carrier with the most destinations from SAT.
This announcement follows expansions from both Southwest Airlines and Air Canada. Air Canada recently celebrated their one-year anniversary with non-stop service to Toronto. A significant benefit of this northern route is that it opens up countless international markets for San Antonians to travel with ease through expedited customs processes.
In 2016, the City of San Antonio Aviation Department hired Brian Pratte as the new Air Service Administrator with a focus on expanding market opportunities for our airport. In 2017, SAT had record passengers, which continues to trend in 2018.
In 2013, under leadership of then-chairman, Arthur Coloumbe, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce launched the Air Service Task Force, with the goal of expanding air service to domestic and international markets. This offers economic development opportunities to attract businesses for expansion and relocation, in addition to serving the existing needs of the community.
Your San Antonio Chamber remains engaged in efforts to support additional service through community leadership and advocacy efforts. One of the most-desired routes for Military City USA is the non-stop between SAT and Washington National Airport (DCA). Efforts to include a legislative fix to an existing perimeter rule were stalled in April by opposition from American Airlines and United Airlines. We remain diligent in efforts to secure this route and others that serve the demands of our business and leisure travelers.
