An air conditioning failure in the air traffic control tower at San Antonio International Airport turned a routine Monday into a scheduling mess, slowing departures and leaving more than 100 flights delayed and a small number canceled. Technicians spent the afternoon working to restore cooling while airlines juggled aircraft and crews. By late afternoon, airport officials said the system was back online and operations were starting to settle down.
FAA and airport response
In a statement to the San Antonio Express-News, FAA spokesperson Donnell Evans said operations are "returning to normal" after the agency "temporarily slowed departures" because of weather and rising temperatures inside the control tower. Airport spokesperson Tonya Hope told the paper that technicians had fixed the air conditioning and that the system was repaired as of 5 p.m. She added that "it's been a busy day at San Antonio International Airport."
How many flights were affected
Flight tracking website FlightAware recorded 111 delays at SAT on Monday. Its data showed 55 delayed departures, including nine to Dallas-Fort Worth, five to Dallas Love Field, five to Houston Bush Intercontinental and four to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, along with 56 delayed arrivals. FlightAware also listed two cancellations in the 24-hour window.
Background: tower upgrades planned
Federal contracting records reviewed by GovTribe show the FAA awarded a roughly $7.1 million contract in February 2026 to replace HVAC systems and modernize the San Antonio air traffic control tower as part of a Terminal Facility Improvement Program. The planned upgrades are designed to improve mechanical and environmental controls at the tower and reduce the chance that extreme summer heat will force operational slowdowns.
What travelers should do
Passengers booked through SAT are being urged to keep a close eye on their flight status through their airline and live tracking tools like FlightAware, since knock-on delays may linger while carriers reshuffle equipment and crews. Officials said the air conditioning has been repaired and that departures are returning to normal, but travelers should plan for possible schedule adjustments into the evening.
