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San Antonio Airport Advances $2.5B Expansion with Key Infrastructure Updates

San Antonio International Airport progresses its $2.5B Elevate/SAT program with airfield safety, terminal renovations, and a new logistics center ahead of Terminal C opening.

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This article is based on an official press release from the City of San Antonio.

San Antonio International Airport Advances $2.5 Billion Expansion with Key Infrastructure Briefings

On January 28, 2026, officials from San Antonio International Airport (SAT) presented a series of critical infrastructure and design briefings to the San Antonio City Council. These updates mark a significant step forward in the airport’s $2.5 billion “Elevate/SAT” capital improvement program, which aims to transform the facility by 2028.

According to the official press release from the City of San Antonio, the briefings focused on three specific initiatives: airfield safety enhancements, the rehabilitation of existing Terminals A and B, and a new centralized receiving center. These projects are designed to support the construction of the new Terminal C, which broke ground in December 2024, ensuring that the airport’s existing infrastructure can handle projected passenger growth.

The session provided the City Council with “post-solicitation” updates on design contracts for the airfield and terminal renovations, as well as a “pre-solicitation” overview of the proposed logistics center. These developments underscore the city’s commitment to modernizing its aviation gateway as passenger numbers are expected to reach 15 million annually over the next two decades.

Airfield Safety and Terminal Modernization

The briefings detailed two major programs where design partners have already been selected. These projects are essential for maintaining operational efficiency and ensuring a cohesive passenger experience across the airport.

Airfield Safety Enhancement and Improvements Program (ASEIP)

The first briefing covered the Airfield Safety Enhancement and Improvements Program (ASEIP). City officials confirmed that a design firm has been selected to lead this initiative, which focuses on bringing the airport’s runway and taxiway systems into compliance with the latest Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards.

A primary component of this program is the reconstruction of Runway 13L-31R and its associated taxiways. According to the briefing details, the selected firm will advance the project design from 30% to 100% completion between 2026 and 2030. The City of San Antonio emphasized that this work is being coordinated with an ongoing environmental review process.

“This design effort is being advanced in coordination with the ongoing FAA-led National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)… ensuring that no final construction decisions are made until the NEPA EIS process is completed.”

, City of San Antonio Press Release (January 28, 2026)

Terminal A and B Reconfiguration

The second major update focused on the Terminal A and B Reconfiguration and Rehabilitation Program (TABRR). With the new Terminal C set to open in Summer 2028, airport officials are prioritizing renovations for the existing terminals to prevent a disparity in facility quality.

An architectural firm has been selected to oversee these renovations, which will include upgrades to hold rooms, restrooms, and finishes. The goal is to align the aesthetic and operational standards of Terminals A and B with the river-inspired design of the upcoming Terminal C. The timeline for these renovations is synchronized with the Terminal C opening, ensuring a unified airport experience by 2028.

Logistics and Future Operations

In addition to the design contracts, the City Council received a pre-solicitation briefing regarding a new logistics facility intended to streamline airport operations.

Centralized Receiving and Distribution Center (CRDC)

The proposed Centralized Receiving and Distribution Center (CRDC) aims to enhance security and reduce congestion by creating a single point of entry for commercial goods. Currently, delivery vehicles for airport concessions navigate various entry points; the new facility will centralize screening and logistics before goods are transported to the secure “airside” environment.

According to the presentation, the airport plans to solicit a third-party operator to manage this facility, which will include temperature-controlled storage and security screening capabilities. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve operational safety as the airport expands its footprint.

AirPro News Analysis

The decision to run the Terminal A and B rehabilitation concurrently with the construction of Terminal C is a strategic necessity for San Antonio. In many airport expansions, older terminals are often neglected, creating a “tale of two airports” experience where passengers on one airline enjoy modern amenities while others face aging infrastructure. By aligning the completion of the TABRR program with the opening of Terminal C in Summer 2028, SAT is mitigating this risk.

Furthermore, the timeline for the airfield improvements, stretching into 2030, suggests that while the passenger-facing transformation will be largely complete by 2028, the operational backbone of the airport will continue to evolve. This phased approach allows the airport to maintain capacity during the critical construction years while preparing for the long-term projection of 15 million annual passengers.

Broader Context: The Elevate/SAT Master Plan

These specific briefings sit within the context of the massive “Elevate/SAT” program. The centerpiece of this plan is the new 17-gate Terminal C, designed by Corgan and Lake|Flato, which will add up to 850,000 square feet of space. Additionally, a new Ground Transportation Center is scheduled for completion in late 2027.

Data presented during the briefings indicates that the expansion is expected to create over 16,000 jobs and generate billions in economic impact for the region. With passenger traffic having already surpassed pre-pandemic levels (over 10 million in 2019), these infrastructure investments are critical for San Antonio’s connectivity and economic growth.

Sources

Sources: City of San Antonio

Photo Credit: Billy Calzada – Express News

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Almaty Airport Secures $670M Syndicated Loan for Next Phase

Bank of America arranges $670M financing for Almaty Airport, with EDB and TIF committing $120M for terminal and cargo upgrades.

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Almaty Airport Secures $670M Syndicated Loan for Next Phase

The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and the Turkic Investment Fund (TIF) have committed a combined $120 million to a $670 million syndicated financing package arranged by Bank of America to fund the next phase of modernization at Kazakhstan’s Almaty International Airport (ALA).

Announced in separate press releases on September 28 and 29, 2026, the financing shifts the airport’s development focus toward upgrading its domestic terminal, expanding cargo aircraft capacity, and improving airside infrastructure following the 2024 opening of a new international facility.

Syndicated financing structure

The $670 million club financing package, which matures in 2033, brings together multilateral development banks and commercial lenders to support infrastructure investments in Kazakhstan. The EDB is acting as a senior co-lender with a $100 million contribution, while the TIF is committing up to $20 million to the syndicate.

Other participating financial institutions include Merrill Lynch International, Société Générale, and several local Kazakhstan banks.

“We have consistently supported the development of Almaty Airport and are pleased to continue this work as part of the new Bank of America syndicate,” said Nikolai Podguzov, Chairman of the Management Board of the Eurasian Development Bank. “The broader group of participating lenders underscores confidence in Kazakhstan’s infrastructure assets and creates additional opportunities to attract international capital to major projects in the country.”

Shifting focus to domestic and cargo operations

The new capital injection will fund the next phase of the airport’s capital investment program. With the new international terminal now operational, airport operator TAV Airports is redirecting resources to modernize the existing domestic terminal.

The financing will also cover significant airside infrastructure improvements. Planned upgrades include the construction of new aircraft de-icing facilities and a major expansion of the airport’s cargo terminal to support growing freight volumes.

Almaty Airport’s capacity and regional role

Almaty International Airport ranks as the largest aviation hub in Central Asia and handles approximately two-thirds of Kazakhstan’s air cargo. The facility serves as the home base for national carrier Air Astana and occupies a strategic position on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, linking China and Europe.

In 2021, a consortium of international financial institutions including the EDB, DEG, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) financed the airport’s initial expansion. That project culminated in the June 2024 commissioning of a new international terminal, which increased the airport’s annual design capacity from 3 million to 14 million passengers.

The facility is already approaching those new limits. Passenger traffic at Almaty reached 12 million in 2025, with the airport serving more than 32,000 passengers per day. The airport is operated by Türkiye-based TAV Airports, which manages 15 airports across eight countries. TAV’s majority shareholder is France-based Groupe ADP, the operator of the three main airports in Paris.

AirPro News analysis

The rapid approach to the 14 million passenger capacity limit just one year after the new international terminal opened underscores the urgency of this second phase of investment. By securing long-term capital through 2033, TAV Airports and its partners are positioning Almaty to capture growing East-West transit traffic along the Middle Corridor. We view the specific focus on cargo expansion and de-icing facilities as critical steps to eliminate operational bottlenecks that were sidelined during the international terminal construction, ensuring the hub can sustain its rapid growth trajectory.

Photo Credit: Eurasian Development Bank

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Miami Airport Earns ACI Level 2 Carbon Accreditation in 2025

MIA reduced carbon intensity per passenger to 1.78 kg CO2e in 2025, advancing toward ACI Level 2 Carbon Accreditation.

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Miami International Airport (MIA) has successfully completed third-party verification of its 2025 greenhouse gas emissions, demonstrating a measurable reduction in carbon intensity per passenger and advancing the facility toward Level 2 Certification under the Airport Carbon Accreditation program.

The verification, announced by the Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) on July 1, 2026, confirms that the airport reduced its total Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions from a 2023 baseline while simultaneously managing record traffic volumes. Upon receiving final certification from Airports Council International (ACI), the facility will become the 16th airport in the United States and the second in Florida to achieve Level 2 status.

Tracking carbon intensity against passenger growth

The third-party verification process documented absolute reductions in the airport’s operational carbon footprint. Total Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions fell to 98,275 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in 2025, down from the 2023 base year total of 102,789 metric tons.

Carbon intensity efficiency per passenger also improved during the two-year period, dropping from 2.03 kilograms of CO2e in 2023 to 1.78 kilograms of CO2e in 2025. This efficiency gain occurred during a period of significant growth, as the airport handled 55.3 million passengers in 2025.

The Miami-Dade Aviation Department has established a phased timeline for further emissions reductions. The airport targets a 20 percent reduction in total Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035, relative to the 2023 baseline. Subsequent targets include a 35 percent reduction in total emissions by 2045 and a 50 percent reduction by 2055.

Infrastructure investments driving efficiency

Miami International Airport is operated by the Miami-Dade Aviation Department and is the property of Miami-Dade County. As one of the largest energy consumers in the county, the airport generates monthly electricity costs exceeding $2 million.

To address this consumption, the airport has executed substantial infrastructure upgrades over the past several years. In November 2020, the facility completed Phase II of its Sustainability Project. The $45 million investment encompassed energy-efficient lighting, water conservation measures, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades. These improvements generate an estimated $3.2 million in annual utility savings.

Earlier that same year, in January 2020, the airport partnered with Florida Power & Light Company to launch a half-acre, 402-panel floating solar installation in the adjacent Blue Lagoon. The array, which was the first of its kind at an airport, generates 160 kilowatts of power.

The Airport Carbon Accreditation framework

The Airport Carbon Accreditation program, administered by Airports Council International, serves as the primary global carbon management certification standard for airports. The framework requires independent assessment of an airport’s efforts to measure, manage, and reduce carbon emissions through a multi-level certification structure.

Miami International Airport previously earned Level 1 (Mapping) accreditation on July 30, 2024. That initial certification required the airport to map its carbon footprint and commit to a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, aligning with the broader Miami-Dade County Climate Action Strategy.

The emissions reductions come amid record economic output for the facility. On June 2, 2026, the airport reported that its economic impact reached $212 billion in 2025. In addition to its 55.3 million passengers, the airport processed nearly 3.5 million tons of Cargo aircraft, maintaining its position as the busiest cargo airport in the United States and the eighth-busiest passenger gateway in the nation.

Photo Credit: Miami International Airport

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Austin-Bergstrom Breaks Ground on Concourse M in 2026

AUS broke ground on Concourse M on Sept. 29, 2026, adding six gates to maintain capacity during its major expansion program.

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Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) broke ground on September 29, 2026, on Concourse M, a new six-gate reliever facility designed to preserve operational capacity during the airport’s multi-billion dollar expansion program.

In a press release issued by the City of Austin, officials confirmed the approximately 37,000-square-foot terminal and an accompanying Maintenance Ramp Expansion will allow the airport to maintain passenger flow and narrow-body aircraft operations while major construction advances on the future 26-gate Concourse B and the remodeling of Concourse A.

Preserving capacity during major construction

Concourse M will operate as a standalone facility on the west side of the AUS airfield, physically separate from the main Barbara Jordan Terminal. Passengers will access the new concourse via a shuttle bus operating from Gate 13, which is currently the airport’s only ground-level gate. The facility will feature four contact gates and two walk-out gates specifically configured for narrow-body aircraft.

The Austin City Council previously authorized a food service and retail concession lease agreement for the facility with Star Concessions on March 26, 2026. The concourse will include a coffee market with 24-hour vending, restrooms, a nursing room, public WiFi, and a pet relief area.

“Concourse M is a critical component of the Journey With AUS expansion program, allowing us to advance major construction while continuing to serve millions of passengers each year,” Ghizlane Badawi, Chief Executive Officer of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, stated in the release.

The design joint venture of Stantec and Fentress Architects, alongside planning firm RS&H, developed the facilities. Hensel Phelps serves as the prime contractor for Concourse M.

Maintenance ramp and airfield upgrades

Alongside the passenger terminal, the September 29, 2026, groundbreaking included the Maintenance Ramp Expansion project, managed by construction firm Austin Bridge & Road. This airfield upgrade will add six new aircraft parking positions, comprising four equipped with jet bridges and two designated for ground-loading.

The expanded ramp is designed to accommodate up to 18 diverted aircraft, providing critical operational flexibility during irregular operations or severe weather events. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allocated $9 million in funding specifically for the ramp expansion component.

The Journey With AUS expansion program

The new infrastructure arrives as Austin experiences unprecedented passenger demand. In June and July 2026, the airport recorded its busiest and second-busiest months in history, processing over 2.1 million passengers each month. International traffic is also expanding, highlighted by Delta Air Lines (DL) announcing its first-ever transatlantic service from Austin to Paris (CDG) in August 2026.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson noted that the infrastructure planning is essential to sustaining the region’s economic vitality. “Concourse M will allow AUS to maintain reliable operations while multiple construction projects through the Journey With AUS expansion program advance across the airport, preserving gate capacity and keeping passengers, airlines, and commerce moving,” Watson said.

The broader expansion program is funded through a combination of airport revenues, cash reserves, federal grants, and future airport revenue bond proceeds. Officials noted that no local taxpayer dollars are being used for the projects.

The Maintenance Ramp Expansion is slated for completion in 2027, followed by the targeted opening of Concourse M in 2028.

Photo Credit: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

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