brownsville-south padre island international airport

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Asked how big a deal it is that Avelo Airlines chose Brownsville for its first flights in Texas, Brownsville City Manager Helen Ramirez said: “It’s huge.”

From May, the Houston-based low-cost carrier will be offering $69 for a one-way ticket from Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport to Orlando, Florida, and $89 for a one-way ticket from Brownsville to Burbank, California.

“First and foremost, our community will have a low-cast carrier. How many families have lost that opportunity because of the cost of the flight? Many, many, many,” Ramirez said. 

“Giving options, and giving choice to a Brownsville community with disparate socio-economic levels, it is hugely important. It is an important goal for the City of Brownsville and for our airport.”

Ramirez added: “It’s just a great moment in our history. Here you have the first airline recruited after the construction of our new 91,000 square-foot airport.”

In the attached podcast, Ramirez is joined by Bryant Walker, assistant city manager and aviation administrator for the City of Brownsville, and Travis Crist, head of marketing for Avelo.

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Helen Ramirez, the new city manager for Brownsville, says there are now 60-plus companies based at Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport.

"I always talk about the Brownsville Airport as an economic driver, as a regional driver, but it's a regional driver not only because it provides a service, which is air service, but also because it has everyone from Fisher Dynamics to SpaceX, to other smaller tenants, logistical companies, hangars. So it has a whole mix of different types of companies," Ramirez said.

Ramirez gave the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service an exclusive interview following a recent event hosted by Brownsville Chamber of Commerce at the Brownsville Events Center. 

She said the City of Brownsville has just finished a feasibility study for a micro grid at the airport. "So actually having a sustainable energy source there is also important because it's very advanced in its technology."

And, as reported previously, Brownsville is also aiming to secure spaceport designation for its airport. 

"That (spaceport designation) is something that we really need in the nation and the state of Texas. So we're really excited about our airport and actually growing a lot of the companies that are there."

Asked if there is room for any more tenants at the airport, Ramirez said: "Absolutely. We're actually looking at our next spec building for industrial development. And you know, we do have a large acreage, from eight acres to two acres to 30 acres of land within the airport protection zone and outside. So, it's really exciting to see that people, depending on the company, can locate within or outside the airport property lines.”

In the interview, Ramirez also spoke about development of a new industrial park, workforce training, the importance of Texas Southmost College, and eliminating the digital divide.

Here is the interview. 

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.