San Antonio International Airport

SAT began in 1941 when the City of San Antonio purchased 1,200 acres of undeveloped land and set about building an airport. The onset of WWII meant that the airport was needed for the military, and although it had yet to be completed, it opened in July 1942 as Alama Field, to be used as a training base by the U.S. Army Air Forces. In particular, the 77th Reconnaissance Group trained reconnaissance personnel at the base, while the 113th Squadron flew antisubmarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico. The base was returned to the city at the end of the war. In 1953, Terminal 2 was completed.
Furthermore, a baggage claim area and an FAA control tower were completed as well. The HemisFair ‘68 event necessitated building a new satellite concourse, which included eight jet bridges and satellite waiting areas. The need for growth brought about an Airport Master Plan in 1975, culminating in the completion of a new 360,000-square-foot terminal (now called Terminal A) and a new 1,300-space parking garage in 1984. In 1986 a new FAA tower was built (at 221 feet tall). A second Airport Master Plan was concocted in 1994, which would feature two new terminals in place of Terminal 2 (increasing the total gate count to 35), a new 3,000-parking space garage (to be completed in 2007), as well as improved airport access and an improved concession program. Terminal 2 finally closed in 2010, while Terminal B opened (and Terminal 1 was renamed Terminal A). In April 2017, a new 1.8 million-square-foot (seven-story) parking garage was completed, which can house up to 14 rental car brands and short-term parking. This was in place of the three-story garage from 1984.
 

The airport is located in Uptown Central San Antonio, eight miles north of Downtown San Antonio. 

• SAT is home to a public arts program (managed by Public Art San Antonio) and rotating public exhibits (The Galleries at SAT). 
• SAY Cultura is the airport's cultural events program, with curated happenings year-round, including the Fiesta, Takes Flight Parade in April, and SATOBERFEST in October. 
• SAT Live is the airport's performing arts initiative, with over 100 performances year-round. 
• In September 2007, Mexicana celebrated 50 years of serving SAT. Sadly, the airline went bankrupt in 2010 and suspended services.