Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C. has long been a goal for San Antonio to secure nonstop air access. The city’s efforts have spanned multiple presidential administrations, but there is now hope that the goal may finally be achieved. Congress is considering new legislation that could open up more slots for flights to and from DCA, and San Antonio has influential supporters in its corner.
San Antonio is the largest U.S. city without nonstop flights to DCA, despite much smaller markets like Tulsa, Akron, and Cedar Rapids having access. This has been a longstanding issue for the city, with the Perimeter Rule established in 1966 prioritizing traffic to Washington Dulles International Airport creating an economic divide between the two regions.
The current FAA Reauthorization Act legislation being considered by Congress includes provisions for five new slots for flights to and from DCA. U.S. Rep Joaquin Castro of San Antonio believes that this expanded access will be approved by his colleagues in the House and is optimistic about the possibility of finally achieving this goal for his city. If not, it could be years before the Perimeter Rule is revisited again.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg and others argue that this rule has created an economic divide between the two regions and believe that San Antonio deserves nonstop access to Reagan National airport. With influential supporters like Castro and a strong case for securing a route, there is hope that this goal may finally be achieved soon.
