ICYMI: Senator Ted Cruz Joins Capital Access Alliance Partners To Urge Congress To Authorize New Direct Access To DCA

San Antonio, TX – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Ranking Republican on the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, joined Capital Access Alliance (CAA) partners for a press conference at the San Antonio International Airport (SAT) on Friday, September 8th to reinforce his support for authorizing new direct flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

San Antonio-based CAA partners greater:SATX, the North San Antonio Chamber, the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce joined City Councilmember Marc Whyte and airport leaders to applaud Senator Cruz for championing a bipartisan compromise to authorize new nonstop flights to and from DCA in this year’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization bill. Both Senator Cruz and Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) have stated they are working on a bipartisan compromise that would benefit consumers with more direct access to our nation’s capital region. 

From left to right: North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Danny Zimmermann, Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Katie Harvey, San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Steven Alaniz, San Antonio City Councilmember Marc Whyte, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, San Antonio Airport System Director Jesus Saenz, and greater:SATX President & CEO Jenna Saucedo-Herrera.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) joins business and civic leaders in San Antonio on Friday, September 8, 2023 at the San Antonio International Airport (SAT) to urge Congress to authorize new direct flights to DCA.

“Let me start by just thanking the incredible coalition that has come together here in San Antonio. Danny [Zimmermann] and Steve [Alaniz], and Katie [Harvey] and Jenna [Saucedo-Herrera] and Marc [Whyte], thank you for your leadership, thank you for the hard work you’re putting in to fighting for direct flights from San Antonio to DCA,” said Senator Cruz. [O]n the merits, San Antonio deserves a direct flight to and from D.C. Reagan airport … You have my word I will continue to fight tooth and nail to make sure that happens.”

“Every single day here in San Antonio, between 160 and 200 passengers board a flight between our two airports, and that’s without nonstop access. The demand is there, we all know it,” said San Antonio Councilmember Marc Whyte.  

“A direct flight to and from Washington Reagan National has been our region and our chamber’s priority for over a decade,” said Katie Harvey, chair of the board for the Greater San Antonio Chamber. “Because San Antonio is Military City, USA, and home to many defense contractors and a rapidly growing city with businesses who need access to the nation’s capital, it’s imperative that we secure a nonstop flight to Washington, D.C.”

“For years, enhancing connectivity from SAT [San Antonio] to DCA has been a priority for our region. D.C. is our San Antonio region’s top underserved domestic market,” said Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, president & CEO of greater:SATX. “We must bridge this gap in service for San Antonians today and in the future. This nonstop service will mean greater investment and jobs in the San Antonio region.”

“Access to government agencies is important for many businesses, especially here. Our cyber presence is huge, and many of our members need to travel to D.C. Accessing those government agencies is vital for their success,” said Steven Alaniz, 2023-2024 board chair for the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

“San Antonio remains one of the most critically important airports left out of having nonstop direct access to the nation’s capital,” said Danny Zimmermann, chairman of the board for the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. “With continental onshoring of manufacturing happening, this region is becoming more important with each passing day.”

To watch the entire press conference, please click here.

Read and watch local media coverage on the unified effort from San Antonio business and civic leaders calling for new direct access to DCA:

San Antonio Business Journal: Push For SA To DC Flights May Come Down To The Wire, September 7, 2023

San Antonio Report: Push For Direct Flights To And From D.C. Tests San Antonio’s Clout In Washington, September 8, 2023

KSAT 12 News: Call For Direct Flights To Washington, D.C., September 8, 2023

KSAT 12 News: SA To D.C., September 9, 2023

San Antonio Express-News: ‘The End Zone Is Still In Front Of Us’: Sen. Cruz Optimistic San Antonio Will Get A Direct D.C. Flight, September 9, 2023

KENS 5 TV: Ted Cruz Pushes For Direct Flights From SA To Washington, DC, September 9, 2023

Texas Public Radio: Ted Cruz Pushes For Direct Flights From San Antonio To Reagan National Airport, September 10, 2023

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