Writer: Jerrica DuBois
2 min read March 2023 — The plans for the expansion of San Antonio International Airport took a big step forward with the City Council’s selection of Corgan Associates as the master architect for the new terminal.
And while they are based in Dallas, Corgan will work with local firm Lake|Flato as they take on the $1 to $2 billion project for a new terminal.
Slated to be the first and largest step of the airport’s master renovation plan, Corgan’s contract is scheduled to run through the terminal opening in 2028. “The San Antonio International Airport will be home to the single largest infrastructure program in the city’s history,” City Manager Erik Walsh told Invest:. “Over the next four years, we will be executing a more than $1.2 billion program to add a new terminal, a lengthened runway and ground transportation.”
Corgan will provide standard architectural and engineering services, but will also be hands-on in designing, producing blueprints, selecting materials and helping during construction. Last month, the airport released renderings of the projected 832,500 square foot facility. In contrast, that is larger than the airport’s current Terminal A and Terminal B combined. (Terminal A is 378,524 square feet, and Terminal B 231,753 square feet.)
The new terminal may add up to 17 additional gates, eight security lines and a courtyard for the airport. The design also features a largely glass exterior, which would bring much more light into the airport. There will be preliminary work beginning next year, but official construction of the terminal will begin in 2025. Those initial projects include roadway and utility work and building a new parking garage and Ground Transportation Center for buses, hotel shuttles, taxis and rideshares.
The expansion project also gives the airport an opportunity to include additional features to improve customer experience and add to the city’s coffers. The projected Terminal C will allot 41,000 square feet for food and shopping.
“We are the seventh largest city in the United States and the fastest growing,” Mayor Ron Nirenberg told Invest:. “Our Achilles heel in many circles over the last several decades has been the airport. We’re going to take that from a weakness to a strength in its makeover. We will be connected, and we will have one of the most convenient airports considering its geographic location.”
The airport expansion plans also include a ground load facility, which are used by airports to offer cheaper prices to travelers. They give smaller airports the ability to move people on and off planes quicker, making the overall process less expensive.
“This project is so important because it means more affordable flights.” Jesus Saenz, director of airports for the San Antonio International Airport told Invest:. “Travel is empowering. It’s going to give more people in our community the opportunity to see other places – more families can take vacations. And those who already fly will see fares become more competitive as airlines offer new and additional routes from SAT.”
The planned ground load facility also attracted the attention of the federal government. The San Antonio International Airport submitted the development plans for consideration for the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Terminal Program. The airport was initially denied during the first round of funding in September. However, after adjusting the proposal and resubmitting, the airport secured a $20 million federal grant for the project last month. Overall, the program has set aside $750 million to support the expansion and renovation projects of medium hub airports.
“One of the other challenges that we’ve faced in San Antonio is air access,” Sarah Carabias Rush, chief economic development officer at greater:SATX, told Invest:. “And as an organization, we’ve heard time and time again from companies that are looking to expand here and from local businesses that they need greater accessibility out of our international airport.”
