The King and Queen of Spain have left San Antonio for a meeting with President Trump in Washington DC, but Mayor Ron Nirenberg is hoping that the Royal visit will be remembered in one concrete way---in a non stop flight from San Antonio to Madrid, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
"The future of San Antonio International is international," the Mayor said. "We are focused on those connections that have the most impact and the most utility."
Several new economic initiatives between San Antonio and Spain were announced during the visit of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, and the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is looking at several more possible business opportunites.
"Us being one of the top partners in terms of economic change with Spain, that bodes well for our air service connections," Nirenberg said.
The city has been aggressively pursuing additional flights from San Antonio International, after being called out by several business leaders, including Trump 2020 campaign manager Brad Parscale, for inadequate air service which is damaging the city's business opportunities. AT&T's stated reason for moving its world headquarters from San Antonio to Dallas in 2008 was a lack of non stop air service for company executives.
While the number of non stop flights out of San Antonio International has grown significantly, the city has one non stop to Toronto and a handful to Mexico, but no non stop flights to Europe, which is seen as the jewel of American aviation.