SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio International Airport is in the process of adding 20 more flights, eight of which are to completely new destinations, and the aviation director said it's just the start of changes to come.
Last year, a record 8.62 million passengers traveled through the airport, and this year, aviation director Rus Handy expects more.
"The major thing we need to look at is, I would say, it’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when and how big?" Handy said.
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San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg is appointing a committee, including business leaders, to ensure whatever moves the airport decides on meets the needs of the community. Handy said all options are on the table.
"If one of those options becomes a new airport, then I think we will examine that. That said, we do have more real estate here," Handy said.
Other than the building, Handy is looking for a culture shift as well.
"I don’t know if it’s part of the city identity, but it’s convenient," said Aaron Quintano, a frequent flier.
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The current food options at the airport include typical fast food restaurants such as Steak & Shake and Cinnabon, but the plan is to bring in more local restaurants to really give travelers a better taste of the city.
"It ought to look, smell, taste, feel like San Antonio, so we’ve got a strategic plan to go and increase that customer experience," Handy said.
Handy said the airport is the first and last building travelers see, and he wants the future of it to reflect the city.