New Airport Plans In The Houston-Galveston Area Abruptly Thrown Out For Good After Officials Make $19.7 Million Decision

Earlier this month, local lawmakers officially closed the book on a decades-long push to bring more flights to a major travel hub.

The Houston-Galveston Area Council in Texas voted to sell roughly 1,400 acres of land to Waller County after decades of planning to build a third airport.

The land was first purchased by the City of Houston in 1986 for $5.7 million, equivalent to about $16.9 million today, according to the Houston Chronicle.

At the time, the massive tract was intended for a proposed Westside Airport, which would be a general aviation reliever facility used for private planes, business jets, and flight training.

The idea has been floated by federal, state, and regional planners since the 1970s as a way to reduce traffic at airports like George Bush Intercontinental.

Planning records from the Houston Galveston Area Council and the Federal Aviation Administration once pointed to the Katy Prairie as the ideal site for a new airport that could ease traffic at Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports.

Instead of runways and terminals, Waller County officials now have very different plans.

County Judge Trey Duhon said the land will be used largely for parks, flood control, and conservation efforts.

Roughly 600 acres are already protected under a conservation easement.

“We’ll be operating within that, which is fine,” Duhon said, noting the county can still pursue projects such as regional detention systems even with development restrictions in place.

“There’s a large portion where we can’t do much development-wise, but we can use it for detention basins or lakes to help with drainage,” he added.

“That area really needs it.”

The property could also become a cornerstone of Waller County’s first-ever county park system.

“We do not have any county parks at this moment, but with the growth we know is coming, it is important,” Duhon said.

“We hope to make this available for people to enjoy the Katy Prairie, to fish, picnic, maybe even horseback ride.”

The land’s aviation roots stretch back nearly half a century.

Westside Airport Plan Timeline
1980’s – Houston officials propose a major new airport on the Katy Prairie, sparking early backlash..

1988 – Federal wildlife officials warn the site poses serious bird strike risks..

Late 1980’s – Waller County disputes the findings, but the FAA orders a full environmental review.

Late 1980’s/Early 1990’s – Oil downturn slows aviation growth and weakens airport demand forecasts..

1990’s – Environmental concerns and local opposition stall the “Katy Prairie Airport.”.

1998 – Mayor Lee Brown formally ends the airport plan, citing sufficient capacity at existing airports.

2000’s – The land sits unused as the project fades..

2010’s – Efforts to revive the airport resurface but fail to gain traction..

December 2025 – Houston sells the land for $19.7 million, officially scrapping the airport for good..

In the 1980s, city aviation leaders and landowners imagined a sprawling airport with parallel runways, sophisticated landing systems and hundreds of hangars.

Some even compared the vision to Hobby Airport.

But the proposal quickly ran into fierce resistance from Katy-area residents, private airport operators, and environmental advocates.

By the late 1990s, Houston Airport System officials determined the city’s existing airports had enough long-term capacity.

In 1998, then-Mayor Lee Brown formally pulled the plug on the Westside Airport idea, recommending the land be used for wetlands mitigation or sold off if it was no longer needed.

Now, with the sale finalized, the long-dormant airport plan has officially been grounded for good.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas To Unveil The Largest DC Universe Themed Area At Any Amusement Park In The U.S.

On March 1, Six Flags Fiesta Texas made history with the grand opening of the largest DC Universe themed area at any amusement park in the United States. This Texas-sized expansion will take guests into the iconic world of DC like never before, where they'll experience unparalleled thrills, meet legendary DC Super Heroes and DC Super-Villains, and enjoy cutting-edge attractions for fans of all ages.

The new DC Universe themed area features three all-new rides ranging from family-friendly to pulse-pounding thrills: CYBORG™ Cyber Revolution, SHAZAM!™ Tower of Eternity, and METROPOLIS™ Transit Authority. Plus, exciting updates to several existing rides, bringing even more of your favorite DC characters to life. Guests will step into a world where they can encounter DC Super Heroes like SUPERGIRL™, GREEN LANTERN™, and BATMAN™ alongside notorious villains such as THE JOKER™, POISON IVY™ and THE PENGUIN™.

“We are beyond excited to unveil the largest DC Universe themed area in the U.S. and bring these iconic characters to fans in Texas like never before,” said Jeffrey Siebert, park president of Six Flags Fiesta Texas. “This expansion offers an incredible experience for fans of all ages, where they can step into thrilling new attractions, expanded themed areas, and reimagined classics. With something for everyone, it's the ultimate place to feel like a DC Super Hero—again and again. There's no better time to get a Season Pass and experience this new DC Universe themed area like never before, right here in San Antonio.”

All-New Attractions for Every DC Super Hero Fan

The DC Universe themed area will feature three new electrifying rides, plus themed dining options for Super Heroes of all ages.

CYBORG Cyber Revolution: Riders will experience a dizzying adventure unlike any other, where four giant mechanical arms rotate around each other in an exhilarating interlocking pattern. As the ride spins, the entire structure rotates, creating a hypnotic, multi-dimensional sensation of speed and movement. This stunning technological marvel offers families and brave guests a heart-pounding ride inspired by CYBORG's fusion of man and machine.

SHAZAM! Tower of Eternity: A family-friendly drop tower that propels guests 70 feet into the sky before delivering a series of unpredictable, gravity-defying drops. This ride, inspired by the power of SHAZAM, guarantees laughter, screams, and endless fun for Super Heroes of all ages.

METROPOLIS Transit Authority: Guests will soar above the park aboard this monorail-style train, offering a scenic aerial tour of the newly expanded DC Universe themed area. Take in panoramic views from 17 feet above the action while cruising through Metropolis.

Planet Krypton™: Fuel up like a Super Hero at Planet Krypton, where you can enjoy delicious New York-style pizzas made fresh. With fun, Super Hero themed décor, it's the perfect place to refuel after battling Super-Villains or soaring through the skies.

More Super Heroes, More Super-Villains, More Thrills

The expansion also includes thrilling updates to several classic attractions, each now enhanced with more DC characters and storyline

SUPERGIRL Sky Flight: Soar 200 feet into the air, spinning around the towering structure at 35 miles per hour, feeling like Supergirl herself.

POISON IVY Toxic Spin: Guests will spin through POISON IVY's twisted garden in “toxic flowers,” climbing high above the ground for a whimsical yet thrilling ride.

THE PENGUIN: Gotham City Getaway: Hop into the front seat of THE PENGUIN's getaway car and join the criminal mastermind in spreading mischief through the streets of Gotham City. This action-packed ride features an epic battle with BATGIRL™.

Daily Planet: The newly remodeled Daily Planet is your go-to for all things DC! With nearly double the space, you'll find a treasure trove of DC Super Hero merchandise from SUPERMAN™ to BATMAN™. Plus, this one-of-a-kind gift shop acts as both an entrance and two exits for SUPERMAN: Krypton Coaster and SUPERGIRL Sky Flight, making it a hub of excitement for fans!

A Historic Day for DC Super Hero Fans

For more information on 2025 Season Passes, the full lineup of attractions and park hours, visit www.sixflags.com/fiestatexas or follow Six Flags Fiesta Texas on social media.

American Airlines Submits Application To U.S. Department Of Transportation To Serve San Antonio International Airport From Washington Reagan National

American today formally submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to operate daily, nonstop service between San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA). The 2024 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill was signed into law in May, awarding five new roundtrip flights serving DCA.

The city of San Antonio is the fastest-growing city in the United States and is home to one of the largest concentrations of military bases in the country. It is the largest city in Texas lacking nonstop service to DCA and the largest city in the U.S. with a majority Hispanic population without nonstop service to DCA, which is the most convenient airport for travelers visiting Washington, D.C.

American’s proposed service between SAT and DCA will complement the carrier’s more than 25 daily departures from SAT to seven cities across the U.S. In addition to offering convenient nonstop connectivity between San Antonio and the nation’s capital, American will offer one-stop connections via DCA to destinations in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Canada.

“American is proud to submit an application to provide the only nonstop service between San Antonio and Washington, D.C.,” said Brian Znotins, American’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning. “This new service will expand American’s industry-leading domestic network connecting customers to the places they want to visit most.”

“Adding a nonstop route to Reagan National Airport is part of our efforts to expand air operations for the San Antonio region,” said Jesus Saenz, Director of Airports for the San Antonio Airport System. “We’re grateful to American Airlines for their shared vision to improve connectivity and for helping us elevate our service options with a route that will be especially beneficial to our business and military communities. This is yet another step in our commitment to modernize our airport and improve the traveler experience.”

“We have a historic opportunity to increase San Antonio’s access to the nation’s capital, which is particularly important for the members of our military community who rely on air connectivity for operational needs,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “Nonstop access to the nation's capital will strengthen our economic ties with leaders in Washington, D.C. and enable greater collaboration with the Pentagon, other federal agencies and leading research institutions. We are grateful to American Airlines for partnering with us to establish this nonstop route that will greatly enhance our city's prosperity.”

For the only nonstop between SAT and DCA, American will use special flight numbers to commemorate the city’s rich history and significant military contributions. Flight 1718 recognizes the year San Antonio was founded and Flight 1947 celebrates the year the U.S. Air Force was established. American’s proposed operation is as follows:

Flight Departure Airport Departure Time Arrival Airport Arrival Time Aircraft Type

1718 SAT 6:35 a.m. DCA 10:59 a.m. Airbus A321

1947 DCA 7:45 p.m. SAT 10:20 p.m. Airbus A321

American is prepared to support appropriate schedule adjustments that allow for the safe and efficient integration of its SAT-DCA service into operations at DCA and the broader Washington, D.C. metropolitan area airspace.

American’s application to DOT includes more than 150 letters of support from the San Antonio community, including bipartisan policymakers, mayors, military organizations, chambers of commerce, advocacy organizations and nonprofits from across the region to express their strong support of the potential SAT-DCA route.

“American’s commitment to delivering the City of San Antonio a direct flight to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport represents an important step not just for the residents of Military City USA, but the entire Lone Star State,” said Sen. Ted Cruz. “I am proud to have led the fight to help deliver the five long-haul slots that we included in this year’s FAA reauthorization bill, and I will continue to press the U.S. Department of Transportation to quickly approve American's application for the San Antonio route.”
“San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the country, and last year, more people moved to San Antonio than any other city in the U.S.,” said Sen. John Cornyn. “After years of hard work from the Texas delegation in Congress and many leaders in Military City, USA, nonstop flights between San Antonio, Texas, and Washington, D.C., could be on the horizon, and I look forward to seeing American Airlines serve this route for visitors, businesses and our military.”

“In May, I was proud to be part of the effort to authorize more direct flights into Washington D.C. and open the door for a nonstop flight from San Antonio,” said Congressman Joaquin Castro. “American’s proposed direct flight will make travel easier for thousands of military, business and leisure travelers and attract new jobs for our talented workforce. San Antonio is a world-class city, and a decision by the FAA to approve this direct flight to our nation’s capital would be an important step for our city’s growth.”

“San Antonio is home to 82,000 active-duty military and civilian support personnel, tens of thousands of veterans and is the seventh-largest city in the U.S.,” said Congressman Chip Roy. “American’s partnership with San Antonio International is valuable to the people of our community and the ability for Texans to access a direct flight to our nation's capital.”

About American Airlines Group

To Care for People on Life's Journey®. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL and the company's stock is included in the S&P 500. Learn more about what's happening at American by visiting news.aa.com and connect with American @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.

San Antonio International Airport Announces First-Ever Nonstop Flights To Europe

The seventh largest city in the nation and among the fastest growing metros, San Antonio, made history last week with a major announcement -- its first trans-Atlantic direct flight to Europe. Beginning May 17, 2024, Condor Airlines will begin seasonal, nonstop flights from San Antonio International Airport (SAT) to Frankfurt (FRA), a major access point with almost 300 nonstop destinations to more than 90 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India. The news today fuels the greater San Antonio region's expanding footprint and its position as a global brand.

"This a spectacular win for San Antonio," said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. "This is the first time people in San Antonio will be able to fly from SAT to Europe nonstop and vice-versa. Germany is where San Antonio has the most demand for travel in Europe because of the cultural, historic, tourism, military, and business ties."

SAT's first-ever nonstop trans-Atlantic service on Condor will have an annual $34 million estimated economic impact to the region.

"This nonstop route to Frankfurt is a big win for the City of San Antonio and our regional businesses," said Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, President & CEO of greater:SATX, the economic development partnership for the region. "I'm bullish on our air service progress and even more excited about what this means for supporting new corporate growth in our San Antonio region. With each added nonstop flight, San Antonio is better positioned to continue growing our base of manufacturing, technology, financial services, life sciences, and clean energy industries."

San Antonio-based corporations will benefit from the global flight through increased tourism and business opportunities the direct flight will deliver, including financial services and fintech leader, USAA and grocery and private brand guru, H-E-B.

"San Antonio, or Military City USA as we like to call it, is a hub for growth, talent, and tourism, and the connectivity this brings will help accelerate our city's progress," said Wayne Peacock, President & CEO of USAA. This new flight route represents a collaborative effort across business, tourism and government organizations, all of which care deeply about the San Antonio community. It opens the door to the rest of Europe and beyond but, more importantly, shows the power of San Antonians when they unite around a shared mission."

"San Antonio has been the largest and fastest-growing U.S. city without nonstop transatlantic service, and we're proud to announce our first nonstop flight to Europe," said Craig Boyan, President of H-E-B. We've also added nonstop service to Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Kansas City with plans for many more destinations as we continue to invest in our airport and air service."

Tickets are on sale now and Condor will service the flight with its new fuel-efficient Airbus A330-900neo aircraft that features 310 total seats with 30 in Business Class, 64 in Premium Economy, and 216 in Economy. The new seasonal service will operate from May 17-September 6, 2024.

Jesus Saenz, Director of Airports, San Antonio Airport System, said Condor is a welcome addition for SAT, which will help attract other airlines and more destinations.

"This is just the beginning of so much more to come at SAT," Saenz said. "We fully believe San Antonio will utilize this service to Europe and take advantage of Condor's extremely competitive airfares. Once that happens, we anticipate Condor will expand their services even further."

Visit San Antonio, the region's tourism and convention destination marketing organization, and greater:SATX will work in partnership with the City of San Antonio to market the new service globally.

"The inaugural non-stop transatlantic flight by Condor Airlines marks a monumental step in our journey to elevate San Antonio into a global brand," declared Marc Anderson, President and CEO of Visit San Antonio. "Our data unequivocally demonstrates the demand within the San Antonio region for these flights. This data has not only struck a chord with Condor Airlines' executives but will also serve as a compelling narrative to entice other airlines, both domestically and internationally, as we continue to share the exciting stories of the ever-evolving San Antonio."

Ralf Teckentrup, CEO of Condor, said the airline is focused on providing quality service and good value.

"With our growing fleet of A330neos, we can provide better travel options to more Americans every year," Teckentrup said. "I am particularly proud to offer the only nonstop connection from San Antonio, Texas to Frankfurt, Germany – the heart of Europe, where travelers can enjoy the popular touristic sights of Germany or travel beyond conveniently by air, road or rail. I invite everyone to try out our newest and most luxurious in-flight experience ever."

Initially, Condor will operate flights three days a week under the following schedule:

Mondays:

Depart SAT at 10:05 p.m.; Arrive at FRA at 3:20 p.m. the next day Depart FRA at 3:40 p.m.; Arrive at SAT at 8:05 p.m.

Wednesdays/Fridays:

Depart SAT at 8:25 p.m.; Arrive at FRA at 1:40 p.m. the next day Depart FRA at 2:00 p.m.; Arrive at SAT at 6:25 p.m.

The anticipated flight times are:

San Antonio to Frankfurt: 10 hours, 15 minutes Frankfurt to San Antonio: 11 hours, 25 minutes

To book a flight on Condor Airlines, visit Condor.com. To learn more about all of SAT's nonstop destinations, please visit the airport's website at: https://flysanantonio.com/

Universal Parks & Resorts Plans To Bring New Park For Families With Young Children To Frisco, Texas

Universal Parks & Resorts announces a one-of-a-kind theme park, unlike any other in the world, specifically designed to inspire fun for families with young children. The new park concept, set in a lush green landscape and featuring immersive themed lands, celebrates Universal’s iconic brand of entertainment, humor and innovation and brings to life its beloved characters and stories in ways that will wow even the youngest theme park goers.

The proposed park will be designed to be more intimate and engaging for younger audiences and will be sized for a regional audience. It will be full of family-friendly attractions, interactive and playful shows, character meet and greets, unique merchandise and fun food and beverage venues. Although smaller in size, it will still carry the same quality as Universal’s other larger resort destinations.

Part of 97 acres of land recently purchased by the company, the proposed park also has plans for an adjacent themed hotel and room for expansion. The entire area is intended to have a completely different look, feel, and scale than Universal’s existing parks and will appeal to a new audience for the brand.

Universal Parks & Resorts selected the city of Frisco, in North Texas, as the area for this new concept given the city’s growing population and ability to attract businesses to the area. The proposed location for the new concept is ideally situated east of the Dallas North Tollway and north of Panther Creek Parkway.

“We are excited about the opportunity to partner with the city of Frisco and Mayor Cheney as we work to bring this innovative, new concept to life designed specifically for a younger generation of Universal fans,” said Page Thompson, President, New Ventures, Universal Parks & Resorts. “We think North Texas is the perfect place to launch this unique park for families given its growing popularity within this part of the country.”

“Frisco is one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. and has been recognized as a great place to plant professional roots and raise a family,” said Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney. “This new Universal concept will continue to enhance our tax base, expand employment opportunities and bring even more fun to Frisco benefiting our residents, businesses, and visitors.”

More details about the project will be revealed over time.