San Antonio Report
by Shari Biediger
City Council on Thursday passed several ordinances giving officials the go-ahead to apply for federal grants for upgrades at the San Antonio International Airport.
If awarded, the funds would reduce the city’s share of the costs for improvements outlined in the airport strategic development plan by almost $60 million.
The plan approved in 2021 to build a ground load facility, a new 17-gate terminal and parking garage and improve runways and roadways is expected to cost $2.5 billion over 20 years.
“Our partnership with the [Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)] emphasizes and accelerates our ability to transform our airport facilities with a keen focus on financial opportunities, operational excellence and a safety-centric culture, “ said Jesus Saenz, director of airports for the San Antonio Airport System. “This is key to the success of our airport.”
Since last year, the San Antonio airport has been awarded $40 million in federal grants from the FAA’s $5 billion Airport Terminal Program created by the Biden administration’s 2022 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
In 2022, San Antonio officials’ request for $50 million in FAA grant funding was turned down. But a second round of funding in February resulted in an award of $20 million — money that will be used for a planned ground load facility.
Now airport officials plan to apply for $14.3 million for three projects with a price tag of $19 million. They include an airfield lighting control and monitoring system, a runway lighting circuit replacement project and a terminal electrical system expansion project.
The balance of the cost would be covered by the airport’s improvement and contingency fund.
Another application for $17.6 million in grant funding also will be submitted to the FAA with council approval. That money, coming from the agency’s airport improvement program, would support $23.5 million in taxiway upgrades and construction at the San Antonio airport.
If awarded, the city’s share of the total cost for those projects is estimated to be $5.8 million.
Through that request to the FAA, additional funds of up to $2.2 million could also become available to make repairs to the Terminal A roof, according to documents the council reviewed.
The council also approved a request Thursday to accept another $24.4 million in funds from the FAA for the Terminal A ground loading facility project — if awarded.
The grant would reduce the city’s funding of the design-build contract for the facility, which is valued at $61.7 million. In May, the council approved the selection of Colorado-based Hensel Phelps Construction Co. to design and build the facility and also relocate an existing gate in the terminal and create additional overnight parking for aircraft.
The planned new ground load facility, similar to those in airports such as Burbank and Long Beach in California, will allow the airport to attract low-cost carriers and air service with cheaper fares, according to airport officials.
Construction is scheduled for next year and is expected to be completed in 2025.