SAN ANTONIO — The launch of a nonstop route between the Alamo City and the nation’s capital received the final greenlight from the U.S. Department of Transportation on Tuesday.
In October, American Airlines was tentatively awarded two slots for flights in and out of Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) after push from the City of San Antonio and elected officials like Senator Ted Cruz, Mayor Ron Nirenburg, and Congressman Joaquin Castro.
San Antonio is the second-largest market to or from DCA that did not have nonstop service, with about 110,000 people who travel between the two airports each year, amounting to about 151 per day each way. The final go-ahead from the Transportation Department will be a game-changer, strengthening South Texas’ direct connection to the heart of the nation.
“This is a historic and meaningful development for San Antonio,” said Jesus Saenz, Director of Airports, City of San Antonio. “We are grateful for the partnership we’ve built with American Airlines and for the tireless efforts of our community leaders who have long advocated for this service.”
“American is thrilled to begin nonstop air service to San Antonio from our nation’s capital. I want to thank Senator Ted Cruz, the city of San Antonio, and the countless elected officials who advocated to connect the fastest growing city in the U.S. with Washington, D.C. on American Airlines,” said Nate Gatten, American Airlines Chief Government Affairs Officer.
In May, Sen. John Cornyn voted in favor of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act, now law, which included a range of reforms to improve public safety, efficiency and consumer confidence and allowed for a direct route from San Antonio to Washington, D.C.
“As a San Antonio native and staunch advocate of Texas’ airline industry, I am pleased that the DOT has finalized a direct route between San Antonio and the District of Columbia,” said Cornyn in a statement. “This new direct route will open up new opportunities for Texans in ‘Military City, USA’ and our nation’s capital, and I am pleased to see it come to fruition.”