Brownsville / South Padre Island International (KBRO), Texas
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Brownsville / South Padre Island International (KBRO) sits at the southern tip of Texas, roughly 45 nautical miles from the nearest metro area, and functions as a towered, publicly used airport with two paved runways and full-time attendance. Onsite CBP inspection services and a USDA compliance agreement support international operations, making the field a practical stop for cross-border traffic in the region. With 16,909 total annual operations and 8,837 attributed to business aviation according to FAA TFMSC data, KBRO carries a Tier 1 designation reflecting its comparatively high traffic volume and documentation level.
Runways
Brownsville / South Padre Island International has two paved runways. The longest, 13/31, is 7,399 ft long and 150 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Brownsville / South Padre Island International has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Brownsville / South Padre Island International has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals. A USDA compliance agreement is in place.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Brownsville / South Padre Island International recorded 8,837 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in July. Business aviation traffic at KBRO is concentrated in certain peak months, notably April and July, with lighter activity in months such as October and February.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month July, 1,020 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Brownsville / South Padre Island International averages 29.5 days above 90°F in August and 0.5 freeze days in January. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 96.3°F, and January the coldest, at 72.6°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Brownsville / South Padre Island International has published operating constraints in six categories: access, weight restrictions, runway notes, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
Lighted oil derricks are located approximately 5 nautical miles northeast of the airport, reaching a maximum height of 500 feet above ground level.
For clearance delivery when the airport traffic control tower is closed, contact Corpus Christi Approach.
Taxiway J north of Taxiway H is open to traffic under 12,500 pounds.
Lighting operates dusk to dawn. When the airport traffic control tower is closed, activate the MALSR for Runway 13 via CTAF.
Birds are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR VALUE: 660/F/B/X/T
PCR VALUE: 540/F/D/X/T
Flight notification service (ADCUS) is available.
For customs and border protection services, contact the airport daily between 0800 and 2400 by email. After hours, a separate email address is provided for the operations center.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Brownsville / South Padre Island International has five airfields within 40 NM. The closest is General Servando Canales International Airport (MMMA), 9.78 NM southwest.
Part of the Rio Grande Valley area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KBRO
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KBRO.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
Is customs available at KBRO for international arrivals?
Yes, Brownsville / South Padre Island International offers CBP inspection services onsite, along with a USDA compliance agreement. General aviation flights should coordinate customs and border protection service by contacting the airport during the daily 0800-2400 window, with a separate contact address for after-hours arrivals. ADCUS flight notification service is also available through the airport for advance notice of international arrivals. Crews should plan their arrival timing around these coverage hours rather than assuming continuous staffing.
What fuel types are available at Brownsville / South Padre Island International?
KBRO stocks both 100LL avgas and Jet A fuel, covering piston and turbine aircraft. The field is attended around the clock, with the attendance schedule listed as all days, all hours. This continuous staffing supports fuel availability regardless of arrival time. Brownsville / South Padre Island International's runway length of 7,399 feet on Runway 13/31 also accommodates larger turbine aircraft that require Jet A.
What are the runway options at KBRO?
Brownsville / South Padre Island International operates two paved asphalt runways. Runway 13/31 is the longer of the two at 7,399 feet, with a width of 150 feet. Runway 18/36 measures 6,000 feet long and is also 150 feet wide. Both runways are paved and support the airport's business aviation traffic, which totaled 8,837 operations in the most recent traffic year reported by FAA TFMSC.
Are there any wildlife or obstruction hazards near Brownsville / South Padre Island International?
Pilots operating at KBRO should be aware of lighted oil derricks located approximately 5 nautical miles northeast of the airport, reaching a maximum height of 500 feet above ground level. Additionally, bird activity has been reported on and in the vicinity of the airport. These hazards warrant extra vigilance during approach and departure phases. Brownsville / South Padre Island International's published remarks flag both conditions as standing operational notes for arriving and departing traffic.
When does business aviation traffic peak at KBRO?
Business aviation traffic at Brownsville / South Padre Island International is concentrated in certain months rather than spread evenly across the year. July recorded 1,020 operations and April recorded 965, both notably higher than quieter months like October at 588 and February at 603. This pattern reflects a seasonal concentration of activity at KBRO. Dispatchers scheduling flights during these peak months may want to account for potentially busier ramp and airspace conditions.