April 30, 2024

Congressman Castro Urges Senate to Authorize Direct Flights from San Antonio to Washington D.C. to Support Military Travel, Economic Growth

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement urging the U.S. Senate to advance bipartisan legislation included in the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024 that could authorize direct flights from San Antonio to Ronald Reagan International Airport (DCA), the closest airport to Washington D.C. The legislation is supported by a bipartisan and bicameral coalition of members of Congress from Texas, as well as local leaders and organizations in and around San Antonio. The Senate is expected to vote on the FAA Reauthorization this week.

“San Antonio is a world-class city that needs direct access to our nation’s capital,” said Congressman Castro. “Every year, thousands of our city’s servicemembers, cybersecurity professionals, and business travelers spend hours stuck on layovers on their way to Washington D.C. As the largest American city without direct flights to D.C., San Antonio is losing out on opportunities to attract business and travel that could create thousands of jobs. I urge the Senate to pass the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and reject amendments that would remove the possibility for additional flights out of DCA.”

Currently, 96 American cities with smaller populations than San Antonio offer direct flights to DCA, including Tulsa, Akron, Cedar Rapids (IA), and Pensacola (FL).

Congressman Castro has worked consistently to secure federal funding and resources to expand San Antonio International Airport (SAT). After working to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with approximately $1.2 billion for Texas airports, he was quickly able to secure $20 million of those funds for the construction of a Ground Load Facility at SAT to improve airport operations and capacity. As part of the FY2023 federal appropriations bill, he additionally secured $1.5 million to allow the airport to purchase three electric passenger buses and assorted infrastructure to transport passengers from the car rental facility and lower the airport’s carbon footprint.

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