San Antonio International Airport in Texas has officially inaugurated its new US$178m Consolidated Rental Car Facility (CONRAC), making it convenient for travelers to access rental cars in one centralized, on-site location.
The short-term garage is on the first two levels of the facility and the next five levels are designated rental car areas. Customers can access the rental car area via the sky bridge, taking passengers directly from the mezzanine level of the terminal to the rental car counters.
The 1,800,000ft² (170,000m²) CONRAC facility houses 14 rental car companies; a quick turnaround (QTA) area for fueling, vacuuming, washing and light maintenance; and approximately 2,600 ready/return parking spaces.
The CONRAC, just a few steps away from the terminals, eliminates the need for shuttles to take passengers to their rental car locations, enabling the airport to initiate significant improvements to traffic flow in the arrivals area.
Russ Handy, aviation director for the City of San Antonio, said, “The airport continues to enjoy great success in several areas as we continue to set record passenger numbers, add additional air service and achieve national recognition for our fantastic customer service.
“With the opening of the CONRAC, we now enjoy a state-of-the-art structure that provides customers with the convenience of an on-site, consolidated rental car facility, truly offering a first-class experience to those visiting San Antonio and the region.”
In addition to the CONRAC, the city invested substantial resources in airport aesthetics, including detailed lighting and public art installations created by local artists Suzy Gonzales and Michael Menchaca. The artwork celebrates 300 years of San Antonio history, focusing on the airport’s culture, architecture and role in aviation history.