Southwest Airlines files lawsuit against San Antonio International Airport

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — A dispute between the City of San Antonio and Southwest Airlines has taken another turn after the airline filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court on Thursday.

Less than two weeks ago, Assistant City Manager Jeff Coyle expressed confidence to KTSA News that both sides would come together on a new lease agreement that has now been signed by multiple airlines that operate in the airport. But Southwest Airlines was the lone holdout in a standoff that appeared to be over terminal space.

On Wednesday, city officials met with the airline and its legal representatives to get a signature on the new lease agreement, but the airline held out over financial details concerning improvements to be made at existing Terminal A. It was suggested that Southwest Airlines was upset that it would not be included in the upcoming Terminal C.

KSAT-12 reports Southwest Airlines now wants an extension to the deadline put forth to sign the new lease agreement, which is October 1, 2024. Among the issues for the airline is whether the money committed to Terminal A renovations is adequate, an indication that Southwest Airlines is agreeable to remaining in their current terminal.

Coyle said earlier this month that $200 million dollars has been committed to improving Terminal A, but further discussions have involved a sum of $300 million.

The city and the airline could be meeting as early as Friday or Monday.

This is a developing story and KTSA News will give more details when possible.