San Antonio hopes for a direct D.C. flight reignited

State of play: Transportation Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) — two senators from states that would gain from more long-haul D.C.-area flights — struck the compromise this week.

• A coalition supporting the proposal says the "bipartisan compromise represents a win for air travelers who suffer from some of the highest domestic ticket prices in the country" because of limits on air travel.

Context: National Airport currently restricts flights to a perimeter of 1,250 miles, allowing 20 roundtrip flights to operate outside of this boundary.

• The proposal would add five more flights.

Zoom in: This week, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio) showed his support for the bill, saying San Antonio is "losing out" without direct flights to the nation's capital.

• He pointed out that 96 smaller U.S. cities have direct flights.

Meanwhile, U.S. senators from Maryland and Virginia warn National Airport is already "overburdened."

• Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told Congress: "We would be concerned about the pressure that that could put on the system."

What's next: The proposal is tucked into a large FAA reauthorization bill, which will need full approval before a May 10 deadline.