San Antonio, TX, October 23, 2025
News Summary
San Antonio International Airport has announced modifications to its Disabled Veteran and Military Plates Parking Program, effective November 1. Going forward, only Prisoners of War and Purple Heart recipients will be eligible for up to 30 days of free parking. Some benefits for disabled veterans remain, including discounted parking rates. The changes come after an FAA audit raised concerns about escalating costs, which previously reached $54 million over fiscal years 2019 to 2024. Veterans are encouraged to register by the November 1 deadline to retain benefits.
San Antonio — San Antonio International Airport is changing its parking perks for veterans and military personnel effective November 1, modifying the Disabled Veteran and Military Plates Parking Program so that only Prisoners of War and Purple Heart recipients will remain eligible for up to 30 days of free parking. Veterans and military members must enroll in the program by the November 1 registration deadline to receive any remaining benefits.
Key details and immediate impact
The airport’s update requires veterans to complete enrollment to receive parking benefits; the enrollment process for the program can be completed online or in person quickly. Currently, disabled veterans and military award recipients can access up to 30 days of free parking, but starting November 1, only Prisoners of War and Purple Heart recipients will remain eligible for up to 30 days of free parking. Disabled veterans will still have access to free parking in surface lots that require a shuttle to reach the terminals and will receive discounted rates in other facilities: a 50% discount in the long-term garage and a 25% discount in the short-term facility.
Rates and access
Current posted charges are $29 per day for short-term parking, $16 per day for long-term parking, and $10 per day for surface lots. The airport will provide ADA-accessible shuttles in the Economy Lot for easier access between surface lots and terminals. Veterans are encouraged to register annually online to avoid issues when leaving parking areas.
Why the change is happening
An audit by the Federal Aviation Administration flagged the airport’s free parking benefits, prompting the need to modify the program. Airport officials cite the program’s growing cost as a key reason for adjustments: the free parking program previously cost the airport about $54 million from fiscal years 2019 through 2024. That cost has nearly doubled from $7.7 million in 2019 to $14.8 million in 2024. In the last fiscal year, the airport generated $32 million in parking revenues and spent $11 million on veteran parking validations.
Federal consequences and finances
Officials warn that failure to adjust the program as recommended could jeopardize $270 million in federal grants the airport has received since 2020. The change coincides with a $2.5 billion expansion plan for the airport, which includes a new $115 million parking garage expected to open in fall 2027.
Community outreach and operational notes
City officials met with veterans groups to explain the changes and reported overall agreement that the adjustments are fair while balancing long-term sustainability. Some veterans expressed understanding that the airport must manage costs and maintain services. The airport previously experienced issues with a ticketless payment system that mistakenly charged veterans, though complaints have decreased since those problems were addressed.
Practical information for veterans: enroll in the program by November 1, and choose either online or in-person registration. Disabled veterans who do not qualify for the preserved 30-day benefit will retain free access to surface lots and receive reduced rates in the short- and long-term facilities. For registration help or questions, the airport’s address is 9800 Airport Blvd and the phone contact is (210) 207-3490. The airport maintains social media accounts on Instagram @SATAirport and Facebook @SATAirport.
Background
San Antonio is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the country, which has made parking policy at the airport both a community concern and a budgetary issue. The airport’s management is adjusting benefits to reduce escalating costs while maintaining targeted support for veterans with the highest recognized service-related sacrifices. The changes are part of broader fiscal and infrastructure planning tied to the airport’s multi-billion dollar expansion program.
FAQ
What program is affected?
This update affects the Disabled Veteran and Military Plates Parking Program.
When do the changes take effect?
San Antonio International Airport is changing its parking perks for veterans and military personnel effective November 1.
Who will remain eligible for up to 30 days of free parking starting November 1?
Starting November 1, only Prisoners of War and Purple Heart recipients will remain eligible for up to 30 days of free parking.
What must veterans do to receive parking benefits?
Veterans must enroll in the program to receive parking benefits, with a registration deadline set for November 1.
How can veterans enroll?
The enrollment process for the program can be completed online or in person quickly.
What benefits remain for disabled veterans?
Disabled veterans will still have access to free parking in surface lots, which require a shuttle to reach the terminals. They will also receive a 50% discount in the long-term garage and a 25% discount in the short-term facility.
What are the daily parking charges?
The charges for short and long-term parking are $29 and $16 per day, respectively, while surface lots cost $10 daily.
How much did the free parking program cost the airport from 2019–2024?
The free parking program previously cost the airport about $54 million from fiscal years 2019 through 2024.
How did the program cost change from 2019 to 2024?
This cost has nearly doubled from $7.7 million in 2019 to $14.8 million in 2024.
What were the airport’s parking revenues and veteran parking validation costs last fiscal year?
In the last fiscal year, the airport generated $32 million in parking revenues and spent $11 million on veteran parking validations.
What federal audit action influenced the change?
The FAA flagged the airport’s free parking benefits in an audit, prompting the need for the program’s modification.
What federal grant risk did officials cite?
Failure to adjust the program could jeopardize $270 million in federal grants the airport has received since 2020.
What expansion projects are underway at the airport?
The program change comes during a $2.5 billion expansion plan for the airport, including a new $115 million parking garage expected to open in fall 2027.
How can veterans contact the airport?
San Antonio International Airport’s address is 9800 Airport Blvd, and they can be contacted at (210) 207-3490.
Key features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program affected | Disabled Veteran and Military Plates Parking Program |
| Effective date | November 1 |
| Who keeps 30-day free parking | Prisoners of War and Purple Heart recipients |
| Enrollment requirement | Veterans must enroll; registration deadline November 1; enrollment online or in person |
| Surface lot access | Free parking for disabled veterans; requires shuttle to terminals; ADA-accessible shuttles in Economy Lot |
| Discounts | 50% discount in the long-term garage; 25% discount in the short-term facility |
| Parking rates | Short-term $29/day; Long-term $16/day; Surface $10/day |
| Contact | 9800 Airport Blvd; (210) 207-3490; Instagram @SATAirport; Facebook @SATAirport |
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| November 1 | Program changes take effect; registration deadline for veterans | Effective |
| Fiscal years 2019 through 2024 | Free parking program cost totaled $54 million | Recorded |
| 2019 | Program cost $7.7 million | Recorded |
| 2024 | Program cost $14.8 million | Recorded |
| Last fiscal year | Airport generated $32 million in parking revenues and spent $11 million on veteran parking validations | Recorded |
| Since 2020 | Airport received $270 million in federal grants | Ongoing / At risk if program not modified |
| Fall 2027 | Expected opening of new $115 million parking garage | Planned |
Statistics
Visual scale: $32M treated as 100% for comparison; $11M is ~34% of $32M.
Scale set for visual comparison; $14.8M is shown proportionally larger than $7.7M.
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Additional Resources
- News 4 San Antonio
- Wikipedia: San Antonio
- Kens 5
- Google Search: Disabled Veteran Parking Program San Antonio
- Express News
- Google Scholar: San Antonio International Airport Veteran Program
- El Paso Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio International Airport
- Express News Opinion
- Google News: San Antonio Airport Veteran Parking Changes
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
