February 28, 2023

Castro, Cuellar, and Doggett Announce $20 Million to Expand San Antonio International Airport

SAN ANTONIO – Today, Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), and Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) announced $20,000,000 in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds they secured for the construction of a Ground Load Facility at San Antonio International Airport to improve airport operations and capacity.

This investment will help expand the airport’s Terminal A to include five new gates with terminal seating and other passenger facilities for domestic and international operations. The funding will also support a Federal Inspection Station for international arrivals.

“San Antonio is steadily growing year after year, and we must ensure that our airport’s infrastructure continues to meet passenger needs and bring new jobs and business to our city,” said Congressman Castro. “These funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I helped pass, will strengthen the economy while making traveling easier for passengers from near and far. I thank Representatives Cuellar and Doggett for working with me to champion San Antonio International Airport.”

“Improved infrastructure is critical to our community’s growth. I am pleased to hear the San Antonio International Airport is receiving $20,000,000 in federal funds to expand and facilitate more passenger traffic,” said Congressman Cuellar. “I helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to revamp our roads, bridges, and airports in South Texas. We’re seeing that here today. I thank my colleagues, Congressman Castro and Congressman Doggett, for working with me to bring our hard-earned tax dollars back home for reinvestment.”

“Though no longer formally representing Bexar County, I am pleased to join Congressman Cuellar and Congressman Castro in supporting this project—important both for economic development and for passenger convenience,” said Congressman Doggett. “This funding is made possible by a bill that every Texas Republican voted against.”

“This Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding is fantastic news for our community,” said Jesus Saenz, Director of Airports, San Antonio Airport System. “A Ground Load Facility gives us the capacity to expand and accommodate more domestic and international flights – which can lead to more options for competitive fares for our passengers and helps us grow as we continue to expand and attract new airlines. This is one of the opportunities to solidify our plans to create the airport of the future.”

In November 2021, Representatives Castro, Cuellar, and Doggett voted to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a bipartisan law that will provide approximately $1.2 billion in infrastructure funding for Texas airports over the next five years. Following the bill’s passage, the members sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg advocating for the City of San Antonio’s request for funds to support the Ground Load Facility and other projects.