South Padre Island Airport: Does It Exist?

South Padre Island is a popular beach destination in Texas, but it can be a little confusing to get to as there is no airport on the island itself. Luckily, there are two major airports within 40 miles of the island, offering services to travellers from across the US and abroad. These are Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport and Valley International Airport. McAllen International Airport is another option, but it is further away, at about an hour and a half's drive from the island.

Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport

South Padre Island is served by the Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport, located 5 miles (8 km) east of downtown Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas. Covering 1,700 acres of land at an elevation of 22 feet, the airport features two asphalt runways, one measuring 7,399 by 150 feet and the other 6,000 by 150 feet.

The airport serves three airlines and six air taxis, with scheduled nonstop passenger flights to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and Monterrey International Airport. It also offers two fixed-base operations (FBOs) for general aviation. In 2011, the airport recorded 37,412 aircraft operations, averaging 102 per day, including general aviation, military, air taxi, and airline flights.

The history of the Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport dates back to World War II when it was utilised by the United States Army Air Forces. The Air Corps had signed a contract with Pan American Airways in 1940 for the training of aircraft mechanics, and during the war, both Army and Navy observation aircraft operated from the airport, conducting antisubmarine missions over the Gulf of Mexico. After the war, the airport was returned to civilian control in 1946.

In 1979, following airline deregulation, the airport in Brownsville hosted three airlines: Braniff International Airways, Texas International Airlines, and Tejas Airlines. In 1983, the airport was renamed the Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport. Over the years, the airport has undergone expansions and improvements, including the construction of a new terminal in 2019-2020 and the addition of a new long-term parking lot in 2024. The airport has also received funding for enhancements, such as a grant of $1.6 million from the Federal Aviation Administration to improve its jet bridges.

Valley International Airport

Although South Padre Island does not have its own airport, it is conveniently served by the nearby Valley International Airport (VIA) in Harlingen, Texas. With easy access to South Padre Island, Valley International Airport offers a seamless travel experience for visitors to the area.

About Valley International Airport

Facilities and Services

Airlines and Destinations

The airport serves as a gateway to several destinations, offering non-stop flights to major cities. These include Austin, Cancún, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. The airport is also a significant air cargo port, ranked among the top 80 airports in the United States. It is served by renowned cargo carriers such as FedEx and DHL, operating wide-body jet freighters.

History

The airport has undergone several name changes throughout its history. It was once known as Harlingen Regional Airport before being renamed Valley International Airport. Despite no longer being an active military installation, the airport still maintains a significant presence of military aircraft, with approximately 50% of its flight operations consisting of U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy training aircraft.

McAllen International Airport

South Padre Island can be reached by road, with the island also providing a free shuttle service. However, for those wishing to travel by air, the closest airport is McAllen International Airport.

In 2023, McAllen International Airport was ranked as the 133rd busiest airport in the United States, with over 500,000 passenger enplanements. It is the busiest airport in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, followed by Valley International Airport in Harlingen and Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport in Brownsville.

The airport has a long history of serving the region, dating back to the early days of commercial aviation. Trans-Texas Airways (TTa) began flights to Mexico from the airport in 1967, and in 1969, the airline changed its name to Texas International Airlines. Texas International operated Douglas DC-9-10s and flew nonstop to Houston Intercontinental Airport and Corpus Christi, with direct flights to Dallas Love Field.

Today, McAllen International Airport is served by major airlines such as American Airlines, United Airlines, and Allegiant Air. It is also accessible by all three global alliances: SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and Oneworld. The airport offers a range of aircraft, including Airbus A319s, Boeing 737-800s, and Bombardier CRJ-900s.

Transport options from Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport

The Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport is located 5 miles (4.3 nmi; 8.0 km) east of downtown Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas. The airport offers a range of transport options for travellers to and from the airport.

Shuttle Services

The Brownsville/South Padre Island Airport provides a free shuttle service to and from the airport. The shuttle ride from the Brownsville airport to South Padre Island takes about an hour. The Island Metro is another free shuttle service available on South Padre Island, providing daily service to various locations, including beaches, hotels, restaurants, attractions, and the convention centre.

Taxi Services

Taxis are readily available at the airport, offering a convenient way to reach your destination. Local taxi services can be called, or you can use ride-sharing apps such as Uber and Lyft.

Car Rentals

If you prefer to drive yourself, car rental services are available at the airport. South Padre Island can be easily accessed by road, with highways connecting it to nearby cities. From Brownsville, it's a 27.8-mile drive south on US Highways 77 and 281. Alternatively, you can take State Highway 100 east.

Airlines and Flights

The airport serves three airlines: American Eagle, United Express, and Aerus. These airlines offer scheduled nonstop passenger flights to several destinations, including Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), and Monterrey International Airport (MTY). Additionally, the airport accommodates six air taxis and two fixed-base operations (FBOs) for general aviation.

Airlines operating at Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport

The Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport, located 27.8 miles from South Padre Island, serves three airlines, six air taxis, and two fixed-base operations (FBOs) for general aviation. The airport offers scheduled nonstop passenger flights to several destinations, including Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), and Monterrey International Airport (MTY).

In terms of airlines operating at the airport, American Eagle, a subsidiary of American Airlines, operates regional jets on their route to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). These jets include the Bombardier CRJ-700 and the Embraer E-Jet family. United Express, affiliated with United Airlines, also serves the airport with flights to Houston (IAH) using Embraer ERJ-175 and Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets. Both American Eagle and United Express services are managed through code-share agreements with other regional airlines, such as SkyWest Airlines and Mesa Airlines.

Aerus, the third passenger airline operating at Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport, provides daily service to Monterrey International Airport (MTY) using the Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft.

The airport has a history of serving as a gateway between the United States and Mexico. In the past, Pan American World Airways offered flights to Mexico City and the Yucatan Peninsula. Additionally, Brownsville was once the intended "Gateway to Latin America" and "Gateway to Africa" through cargo services proposed by Pan American Airways and World-Wide Consolidated Logistics, Inc. However, these plans did not materialize due to legal issues.

The Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport covers a substantial area of 1,700 acres and features two asphalt runways. It accommodates a variety of aircraft, including regional jets, turboprops, and single-engine and multi-engine planes. The airport has also undergone recent expansions, with a new terminal opened in 2021 to accommodate increasing tourism and migration.

Frequently asked questions