The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launched an investigation into two airports after they excluded Chick-fil-A from facilities.
“The Department of Transportation has received complaints alleging discrimination by two airport operators against a private company due to the expression of the owner’s religious beliefs,” and the FAA said in a statement Friday.
“FAA’s Office of Civil Rights has notified the San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) that it has opened investigations into these complaints,” the administration added, noting that operators cannot exclude people on a religious basis if they receive FAA funds.
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“We received a letter from the FAA advising us they were opening an investigation into the airport concessions contract,” City Attorney Andy Segovia told the San Antonio Express-News. “We will need time to review the letter and determine our course of action.”
The San Antonio City Council voted 6-4 in March to bar Chick-fil-A from the airport, citing the company’s anti-LGBTQ donations and history. Since then, Texas state lawmakers have introduced and advanced a “Save Chick-fil-A” bill that would prevent the government from punishing a person or company based on actions connected to a religious belief.
Chick-fil-A told The Hill in a statement that it is “not involved” in the investigation.
“We are a restaurant company focused on food and hospitality for all, and we have no social or political stance,” the statement said. “We welcome and embrace all people, regardless of religion, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.”
The Buffalo Niagra airport’s concessionaire Delaware North has also canceled plans for a Chick-fil-A at the airport, according to The Buffalo News.
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority’s executive director said in a letter to commissioners obtained by The Buffalo News that “The decision not to move forward with Chick-fil-A at Buffalo airport was not made by the NFTA.”