City leaders have raised more than $2 million from member companies
San Antonio business leaders are fighting for direct flights to European destinations and are willing to pay millions to make it happen. In April and March, the San Antonio International Airport had announced an expansion for its nonstop flight offerings to meet increasing demand.
The San Antonio Express-News reported a group of private-sector executives, including Greater: SATX and Vist San Antonio, created a fund last year to pay expenses to airlines to support of new nonstop service. The collective has raised more than $2 million from member companies, including H-E-B, USAA, Holt Cat and Frost Bank.
Although the city is looking to pursue direct service to 18 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, it is specifically targeting nonstop flights to London and Frankfurt. The Express-News reported that Visit San Antonio chief executive Marc Anderson believes the city could have access to direct routes to Europe as soon as 2025.
“We’ve been in very close competition for this service,” Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, president and CEO of Greater: SATX, told the Express-News. “I wish I could tell you specifically when it could happen, but I would like to see transatlantic service within the next year.”
The director of SAT also told the Express-News, “There is no specific date, but we’re working really hard to make it happen as soon as possible.”
All three did not disclose much information and have signed non-disclosure agreements with carriers they are fighting to convince to launch new direct routes.
In March, Spirit Airlines announced the addition of Baltimore, along with Fort Lauderdale, to a list of nonstop flights from SAT. The new stops came just in time for spring break, and Spirit Airlines showed no signs of letting up on the increase of nonstop flights. In May, Delta Air Lines launched its nonstop service to New York City and a third daily flight to Detroit. In June, San Antonio travelers also gained direct flight services to Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Sun Country Airlines also added the Twin Cities to its list of direct flights, and Southwest Airlines joined Sun Country in increasing service to Cancún beginning in June. Other cities Southwest transported travelers to this summer include Baltimore, Washington D.C., Kansas City and San Diego.
The Express-News reported SAT has nonstop flights to 41 cities, including five in Mexico: Cancun, Guadalajara, Leon, Mexico City and Monterrey.
Source: My San Antonio
