Brownsville, Texas: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Brownsville, Texas, located near the Mexican border, is served by the Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport. The airport is situated 5 miles (8 km) east of downtown Brownsville, in Cameron County. It offers daily passenger flights within the United States and to Mexico, with several airlines providing service to this airport. Brownsville's airport has a rich history, dating back to the early days of aviation, and has played a significant role in the development of technical advancements in instrument navigation.

Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport

Brownsville does have an airport, the Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport, located 5 miles (8 km) east of downtown Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas. The airport is served by three airlines and six air taxis, with two fixed-base operations for general aviation. The airport offers scheduled nonstop passenger flights to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and Monterrey International Airport.

The airport has a rich history, dating back to 1929 when it was the main terminal for air service between the United States and Mexico. Over the years, it has undergone several renovations and expansions, including the addition of a new terminal in 2021 to accommodate increasing tourism and migration. The airport covers 1,700 acres of land and has two asphalt runways. It handles a significant volume of aircraft operations, with an average of 102 flights per day in 2011.

The Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport provides a range of amenities for travellers, including a dedicated nursing area for mothers and a service animal relief area. It also houses the National Weather Service forecast office for deep south Texas.

The airport has played a significant role in the history of aviation, with notable achievements during World War II, such as the initiation of the Civilian Pilot Training program and the testing of the first American jet engine. Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport continues to be an important aviation hub, serving as a gateway for travellers to and from the region.

Brownsville's airport history

Brownsville, Texas, is home to the Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport, located 5 miles (8 km) east of downtown Brownsville, Cameron County. The airport has a rich history dating back to the early days of aviation. Here is a brief overview of its history:

Early Years

In the late 1920s, Brownsville Airport was a pivotal hub for air travel between the United States and Mexico. In 1929, Pan American World Airways acquired a stake in Mexicana de Aviación, commencing the Ford Trimotor service to Mexico City. This route was later extended to the Yucatan Peninsula, connecting to Pan Am's Caribbean network. Brownsville became known for its technical advancements in instrument navigation due to the challenging weather conditions pilots faced over the Mexican mountains.

World War II

During World War II, the airport was renamed the Brownsville Army Air Field and served as a military facility for pilot training, engine testing, and overhauls. It was used by the United States Army Air Forces, who also utilised the airfield for antisubmarine missions over the Gulf of Mexico following the attack on Pearl Harbor. The airport witnessed several notable achievements during the war, including the first American jet engine flight test and the renovation of B-29 bombers.

Post-War Developments

After the war, the airport returned to civilian control. In 1947, Pan Am extended its Mexico City route to Houston, with Brownsville as an intermediate stop. However, Pan Am's service to Brownsville ended in 1962 with the introduction of the nonstop DC-8 flight from Houston. The airport continued to evolve, gaining a new passenger terminal in 1971 and expanding its services.

Recent Years

In 1983, the airport was renamed the Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport. It underwent significant upgrades in the 2010s, including a new ATC tower, runway expansion proposals, and a modern terminal built in 2019-2020. In 2021, a new 91,000-square-foot terminal was inaugurated to accommodate increasing tourism and migration, reflecting the airport's dynamic growth and development.

Airlines and destinations

Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport is located 5 miles (or 8 kilometres) east of downtown Brownsville, in Cameron County, Texas. The airport offers scheduled nonstop passenger flights to the following destinations:

• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
• Monterrey International Airport (MTY)

In 2023, Avelo Airlines also offered seasonal flights to Burbank, Orlando, and Las Vegas. However, as of 2024, these flights no longer operate from Brownsville.

The airport serves three airlines, six air taxis, and offers two fixed-base operations for general aviation. The three airlines operating from Brownsville are American Eagle, United Express, and Aerus. American Eagle operates Bombardier CRJ-700 and Embraer E-Jet family regional jets on their route to Dallas/Fort Worth. United Express flies Embraer ERJ-175 and Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets to Houston. Aerus, the third passenger airline, flies Cessna Grand Caravans with daily service to Monterrey.

Brownsville airport amenities

Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport (IATA: BRO, ICAO: KBRO, FAA LID: BRO) is located 5 miles (4.3 nautical miles or 8 km) east of downtown Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas. The airport offers various amenities and services for passengers.

Terminal

The airport has one terminal, which was built in 2019-2020 to replace the old, crowded terminal. The new terminal is modern and spacious, covering 91,000 square feet. It was built in response to expanding operations by SpaceX and to accommodate an increase in tourism and migration.

Airlines

The airport serves three airlines: United, American Airlines, and Aerus. It also offers six air taxis and two fixed-base operations (FBOs) for general aviation.

Flights

Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport offers scheduled nonstop passenger flights to the following destinations:

• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
• Monterrey International Airport (MTY)

Facilities and Services

The airport provides various facilities and services for its passengers, including:

• Free Wi-Fi internet access
• Dining options: a cafe serving sandwiches, Mexican food, cocktails, and other drinks from 8 am to 6 pm
• Shopping: a gift shop offering souvenirs, snacks, and travel essentials
• Dedicated nursing area for nursing mothers
• Service animal relief area
• Ridesharing services: Uber and Lyft are allowed
• Taxi services: several taxi companies serve the airport and the Brownsville area
• Car rental: most major car rental agencies operate on-site
• Parking: long-term parking is available across from the terminal in a fenced-in lot, open from 3:45 am to midnight, 7 days a week
• Accessibility: the airport recommends that passengers with reduced mobility or special needs coordinate with their airline at least 48 hours before their flight

Other airports near Brownsville

Brownsville, Texas is served by the Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport, which is located 5 miles (8 km) from the city centre. However, there are several other airports in the region that are relatively close to Brownsville.

The General Servando Canales International Airport is just 10 miles (16 km) from Brownsville, in Matamoros, Mexico. This airport primarily serves the city of Matamoros and offers domestic flights.

Another option is the Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas. This airport is a little further away, at a distance of 29 miles (46.7 km) from Brownsville.

For those travelling to or from Reynosa, Mexico, the General Lucio Blanco International Airport is situated 53 miles (85.3 km) from Brownsville.

Finally, the McAllen-Miller International Airport in McAllen, Texas is 61 miles (98.2 km) from Brownsville. This airport serves both international and domestic flights.

Frequently asked questions