Southwest, San Antonio End Gate Dispute

The carrier signed a new lease agreement for space in Terminal C and Terminal B.

A Southwest 737 in Austin, Texas
A Southwest 737 in Austin, Texas. (Photo: Shutterstock | lorenzatx)
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Key Takeaways:

Southwest and the city of San Antonio, Texas, have settled their dispute over gate allocations at San Antonio International Airport.

In a joint statement released on Thursday and posted to the city’s website, the two parties said Southwest signed a new airline use and lease agreement that retains “no fewer than six gates” at the airport – three in the new Terminal C, and three in the renovated Terminal B.

Southwest sued San Antonio and its airport director in 2024 after being denied gates in the $1.7 billion Terminal C, which is expected to be completed in or around 2028. The airline claimed that it was verbally promised gates in the new terminal, and that the airport later reneged and tried to keep Southwest in Terminal A.

A federal judge dismissed the case in 2025, finding that Southwest did not make a strong enough argument to proceed. The carrier at the time said it would look at other avenues to address its complaints.

On Thursday, Southwest said it will withdraw its pending litigation against the airport in both federal court and before the FAA.

“Together, Southwest and SAT look forward to a continued partnership that benefits San Antonio and supports the airport’s mission of providing travelers with an exceptional travel experience,” the statement read.

Zach Vasile

Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of commercial aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.
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