SAT Closer to Direct Flight to DCA
The long-awaited FAA reauthorization bill has passed both Chambers of Congress and was signed by the President last month. After years of effort by the City of San Antonio and the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and support in Congress, the final reauthorization included an expansion of the number of flight slots into Washington Reagan National Airport. The negotiated text requires the US Department of Transportation to grant 10 additional slots at DCA or five round-trip flights. The bill boosted air controller staffing and included funding to avert runway close-call incidents but will not increase the airline pilot retirement age from 65 to 67.
The US Department of Transportation will have 60 days from May 16, 2024, to consider and approve applications for the available slots. American Airlines is applying for SAT to DCA. Greater Chamber staff worked with Airport officials to provide necessary letters of support for our community’s application, and we are grateful to each of our members who contributed.