By: W. Scott Bailey | From: San Antonio Business Journal

In early 2016, as San Antonio leaders continued their lobbying for nonstop air access between the Alamo City and Washington, D.C., Congressman Henry Cuellar warned that backers were in for a battle. 

“It’s going to be a fight,” he said. “We can use political muscle. But you still need the airlines.”

Roughly eight years later, with a critical assist from a Texas-based carrier, American Airlines will launch on March 3 its inaugural flight from San Antonio International Airport to Reagan Washington National Airport. The flight is sold out and there is strong optimism among key leaders that demand for seats will continue.

Cuellar is scheduled to be on that initial flight from SAT to DCA along with several other key officials who have pushed for the nonstop including Mayor Ron Nirenberg.

Nirenberg expects there will be ongoing demand for the long-sought flights that will justify the years spent pursuing the connection.

“It will be strong,” Nirenberg told me. I have no doubt that it will be a very busy flight.”

A spokesman for American said the airline doesn’t comment on specific route performance or future expectations. But a managing director for the carrier, Phil Newman, said when federal officials freed up more slots at DCA, San Antonio was “at the top of our wish list.”

Newman added, “We're very confident that there's going to be plenty of demand for this flight.”

The military connectivity will be key. Local biotech officials also expect that the industry will benefit from the flights, as will others.

“The significance of this nonstop connection can’t be overstated in terms of its business and national security impact,” Nirenberg said. 

Filling seats will be essential as San Antonio can’t afford to lose a flight it worked so long to land. Alamo City leaders, including Jesus Saenz, director of airports for the city of San Antonio, don’t expect that will be an issue.

“I honestly don't think it's going to require us to do much to drive demand,” Nirenberg said. “The demand is already there.” 

Flight 1718 is scheduled to depart from SAT at 6:35 a.m. on March 3 and land at DCA at 10:41 a.m.