Spotlight On: Jesus Saenz, Director of Airports, San Antonio Airport System
July 2025 — In an interview with Invest:, Jesus Saenz, director of airports for the San Antonio Airport System, said that strategic planning, regional connectivity, and people-centered leadership are driving the record-breaking growth at San Antonio International. “Coming out of COVID, we sat down and created a comprehensive five-year plan covering 2023 through 2028 that was designed to guide our progress,” he said. “As a result, a lot of great things have emerged.”
What has driven recent growth, and what milestones or achievements from the past year would you highlight?
There are so many things that we, as a team, have done exceptionally well. I believe all of it is a direct result of the strategic plan we developed. Coming out of COVID, we sat down and created a comprehensive five-year plan covering 2023 through 2028 that was designed to guide our progress. As a result, a lot of great things have emerged. Last year, we were named Business of the Year by the San Antonio Business Journal. We also launched a transatlantic flight; although it’s on hold this year due to regulatory issues with the German government, the momentum is still there.
We’ve received multiple awards, and it all comes down to our people — their dedication, hard work, and commitment to success. We’ve also rolled out new branding. There’s a beautiful story behind it that I can’t fully capture here, but it reflects the unique beauty of San Antonio’s sunrises and sunsets. We’re defining who we are and what our future looks like.
Another major focus is our infrastructure development. That includes a new ground-load facility, a state-of-the-art parking and ground transportation center with over 2,000 spaces, and a brand-new terminal complex. That terminal will add 850,000 square feet and 18 gates to our airport.
What impact is expected from the Elevate San Antonio expansion, and can you share some of the major highlights?
It’s essential to look beyond just the city of San Antonio. When you include the surrounding region, from Del Rio to the Valley and up to Corpus Christi, we’re serving a population of over 5 million people. San Antonio itself has around 2 million residents, and it’s been one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States for some time now. The growth in the Austin-San Antonio corridor is also fueling the need for infrastructure development.
We need to prepare for the future, which is why we launched the Elevate San Antonio program. It includes a new terminal with expanded gate capacity and aims to increase our nonstop destinations from the current 48 to 60 or 70. VivaAerobus is a great example — we started with one route, and now we’re at five. That kind of growth has led to increased competition and greater options for travelers.
This entire region is central to the U.S.-Mexico connection, and our airport needs to reflect that. Our development plans don’t just aim at 2025, but 2030 and beyond, ensuring we’re ready for what’s to come.
What inspired the past visitor program initiative, and how has the public responded?
Having been in the airport industry for many years, I’ve seen how emotional and meaningful airport reunions and farewells can be. Whether you’re saying goodbye to someone flying to Mexico or welcoming home a young servicemember, those moments matter. We wanted to support those personal connections.
That’s why we launched the visitor pass program, to allow non-ticketed individuals to accompany their loved ones to the gate. We currently offer 50 passes a day, and by 10 a.m., they’re often gone. It’s been incredibly popular, and we’re already discussing increasing the number of passes.
Our partnership with TSA has been crucial to making this possible. People love it. It gives them a chance to grab a meal, a cup of coffee, or simply enjoy that last moment with someone before departure. It’s a small change that has made a big emotional impact, and it speaks to San Antonio’s welcoming spirit.
What is your outlook for the labor pool, and can you provide details about the Explorers program?
I couldn’t be prouder of what Eric Warner and our team have accomplished. Personally, I’ve always worked with youth — I spent 15 years volunteering with The First Tee in Houston, helping young people develop both golf and life skills. That passion continues through our Aviation Explorers program. The idea is to expose young people to the wide variety of careers available in aviation. I often ask students to name a job that isn’t at an airport, and they’re always surprised when I explain just how many roles there are, from pilots and engineers to lawyers, barbers, and hospitality workers.
One of the most exciting parts of the program is our flight simulator, which gives young people a chance to experience what it’s like to fly a plane. Over 8,000 children have now gone through the program, and it’s helped them imagine careers they might never have considered.
Whether they want to be pilots, work in airport operations, or contribute to aviation in other ways, we’re giving them the tools and inspiration to see that future.
How does the Stinson Municipal Airport complement San Antonio International, especially in terms of corporate and private aviation?
Stinson plays a critical role in our overall aviation strategy. Just as we focus on commercial land development around San Antonio International, we’re doing the same at Stinson. The southern part of the city is growing rapidly, and Stinson is a part of that.
We initiated a master plan to define its future. While it primarily handles turboprop and general aviation aircraft today, we’re preparing it to support corporate jets and other advanced services. We’ve recently completed a new taxiway and are in early talks to build additional corporate jet hangars.
Its proximity to Texas A&M University-San Antonio, Brooks, and the Port of San Antonio makes it a vital asset. These areas are developing fast, and aviation services at Stinson will support their continued economic growth, just as SAT does for the broader region.
What are your top priorities over the next two to three years?
Our priorities are clear. First and foremost is safety — we’ve achieved three consecutive years of perfect inspections, and that’s a testament to our team. We’ll continue focusing on safety in all areas: movement, non-movement, and curbside.
The second is service. Whether it’s inside the terminals, in the parking garages, or as passengers arrive and depart, we aim to provide the best experience possible. That also ties into air service development, both domestic and international.
Speed of development is another key priority. We must stay on scope, on schedule, and on budget for the terminal expansion, which we aim to complete by mid-2028. Alongside that, we’re revitalizing roadways and building a new ground transportation center. Our ground-load facility, opening in early 2026, will increase gate capacity and complement our current 24-gate terminal.
Financially, the airport is a major economic engine. In 2019, our economic impact was just over $5 billion. A recent 2024 study shows that we’ve now surpassed $7 billion. That’s the kind of growth we want to sustain.
Lastly, we’re focused on creating a welcoming culture—one that reflects the warmth and hospitality of San Antonio. You can’t bottle or sell it — it’s just who we are. We want every visitor to feel like part of that family.
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