One of the first of many improvement projects ongoing at the airport, the facility opened a month ago as part of a plan to increase service by ultra-low-cost air carriers and increase passenger numbers.<\/p>\n
Proposed by local artist Kimberly Bishop, the artwork features an acrylic on vinyl piece at the entryway from the existing terminal into the facility, and a corresponding end-to-end mural spanning the three gates\u2019 holding areas.<\/p>\n
An arts educator, Bishop has also created public art projects that include \u201cPoet\u2019s Pointe\u201d at the Seeling Channel Pocket Park in the Jefferson neighborhood and collaborated on artwork for VIA Metropolitan Transit bus stops.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AIRPORT_MURAL_050626.jpg\")
A rendering showing the final design of a mural over the entrance of the second level at the San Antonio International Airport by the artist Kimberly Bishop. Plans approved this week show the piece extends through the entire terminal. Credit: Courtesy \/ San Antonio International Airport<\/p>\n
The vibrant work, titled \u201cRise Up,\u201d represents the many natural springs in San Antonio, including the Blue Hole<\/a>, as the indigenous peoples\u2019 origin story with handpainted animal imagery above.<\/p>\n The commission unanimously approved the $172,00 project, which was funded through the budget for the facility, and will begin to be installed in July.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe Art [department] does a great job working with us, working with the artists, and working with the architects to understand what we\u2019re trying to do from an architectural standpoint with the building [to create] that sense of place and the customer experience,\u201d said Tim O\u2019Krongley, deputy aviation director.<\/p>\n This year marks the 30th anniversary of San Antonio\u2019s public arts ordinance, created to ensure civic projects reflected the community\u2019s unique history, culture and aspirations through accessible art. The city\u2019s website features a directory of public art<\/a>.<\/p>\n The airport\u2019s ground load facility itself expands Terminal A by three gates which are designed to be used primarily by ultra-low-cost carriers that service SAT, including Breeze Airways, Sun County and Viva.<\/p>\n On May 2, the ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines, which began offering service from SAT to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando in January, announced it was ceasing operations.\u00a0<\/p>\n During the initial planning for the ground load facility, aviation officials said the new facility would help draw more ultra-low-cost carriers to SAT and could result in cheaper fare options for travelers seeking low-cost travel.<\/p>\n It also provides extra flexibility to managing the gates and can accommodate most aircraft as a sort of back up operations center.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen the larger hubs get bad weather, like Houston, Dallas, they send a lot of aircraft here while they\u2019re experiencing weather,\u201d O\u2019Krongley said. Planes can be deboarded at the ground load facility when other gates are occupied with regular traffic.<\/p>\n With Spirit out, flights to South Florida from SAT are provided by American Airlines, Frontier and Southwest, said a statement from the airport.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/airport_mural_2_050626.jpg\")
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/SanAntonioInternationalAirport_SATGroundLoadFacility_TerminalAExpansionGates_19_03.27.2026_AmberEspa.jpeg\")
The holding rooms for gates A1B and A1C inside Terminal A\u2019s new ground load facility at the San Antonio International Airport. Credit: Amber Esparza \/ San Antonio Report<\/p>\n