The Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport opened a new 90,000-square-foot terminal in early 2021 amidst much fanfare in promoting the city’s transformation of its air traveler experience. 

Left behind was a 1970s-era 30,000-square-foot terminal whose outdated appearance was a striking contrast to the sleeker and more modern terminals found at airports in Harlingen and McAllen. All of that is in the past because the stylish terminal of today in Brownsville has seen its passenger volume grow from 230,000 passengers in 2019 to 321,000 last year. That’s a nearly 40 percent growth over a six-year period. 

“It has been a great investment for the city of Brownsville,” said Faisal Khalifa, the interim airport director, of the $79 million terminal. “This building resonates with what our goals are in serving our customers. It provides modern technology and convenience for our customers and it gives our city a competitive edge.”

There are vast amounts of space at the new facility when compared to the old terminal. It was torn down and repurposed to expand parking and support industrial development at the airport. The days of feeling cramped at the Brownsville airport are gone with spacious hallways, ample sitting and boarding areas, and an upgrade in dining and overall amenities.

All of that has been needed because the opening of the new terminal coincidently occurred with the emergence of a major new corporation arriving in the area – and that’s SpaceX.

SpaceX Boom

The specter of the world’s wealthiest person routinely using the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport has raised the national profile of the airport.

Elon Musk, who among other titles he holds, is the chief executive officer and chairman of SpaceX and its Starbase. SpaceX’s official headquarters is listed as Starbase, which is located at what historically is known as Boca Chica Beach. Starbase is also located at Boca Chica and has developed into a massive industrial complex and rocket launch site at Boca Chica, with intensive manufacturing operations. 

Musk has an estimated net worth of over $670 billion and is a frequent flier into Brownsville for the 15-minute drive to Starbase. He brings plenty of people with him. The rocket launches from Boca Chica have the same effect on business.

“We have more people come in with the launches and more executives flying in when Elon is here,” Khalifa said. “We have more people visiting Brownsville. More tourists, more businesspeople, and it’s having an impact on everything, from hotels to small businesses like restaurants, catering firms and janitorial services.”

In the coming months, the Brownsville SPI Airport will add a new carrier – Breeze Airways – to its mix. The low-cost airline will cater to SpaceX executives and related business interests flying from Orlando. SpaceX has major operations in Orlando on Florida’s Space Coast, so there are company executives coming and going from Orlando to Starbase.

“We are the closest Valley airport to Starbase,” Khalifa said. “It gives us a a big advantage in serving SpaceX.”

History & Opportunities

The airport can do so from a terminal that “Texas Architects” magazine describes as a “clean, modern aesthetic while at the same time incorporating elements that echo the Mexican heritage of the region.”

The new terminal’s launch five years ago featured murals which showcase maps and other colorful depictions of Brownsville and the Valley. Brownsville’s airport can also boast of a history no other area airport can match. In its early years, two of the most famous aviators in U.S. history flew into the nascent airport of nearly 100 years ago. Charles Lindberg and Amelia Earhart at one point crossed paths at the Brownsville airport in 1927.

In the present, Khalifa says the focus is on investments in infrastructure and projects like a $30 million investment to reconstruct a general aviation runway. There are plans to extend the terminal in the coming years beyond the current four jet bridges, with United and American airlines as primary air carriers. SpaceX and the emerging LNG industry at the Port of Brownsville likely means the airport will only grow as a destination for business travelers.

There are daily Brownsville-to-Monterrey flights on the air carrier Aerus and connections to Mexico will continue to hold a high priority for Khalifa and his staff. 

“We see great opportunities ahead with our location and space to grow with cargo transportation, manufacturing, warehousing and storage,” Khalifa said. “The goal is always to increase volume and capacity.”