The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating two airports that allegedly revised plans to add Chick-fil-A restaurants following complaints linked to the company’s perceived stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
San Antonio International Airport and Buffalo Niagara International Airport are the subjects of probes into possible religious discrimination.
“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,” the FAA said in a statement. “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 FAA notes that Federal requirements prohibit airport operators from excluding persons on the basis of religious creed from participating in airport activities that receive or benefit from FAA grant funding.”
Chick-fil-A, a widely known fast-food chain, has faced criticism for prior statements and donations that critics say reflect opposition to same-sex marriage. Company president Dan Cathy has previously described support for “the biblical definition of the family unit,” and reporting has linked the company to donations to organizations accused of discriminatory practices toward LGBTQ+ people.
In response to inquiries, Chick-fil-A told CNN, “We are a restaurant company … and we have no social or political stance. We welcome and embrace all people, regardless of religion, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.”
The FAA investigations focus on whether airport decisions to alter plans regarding food service concessions were motivated by the owner’s religious beliefs, which would violate federal rules governing airports that benefit from FAA funding. Airport operators that receive federal grants are required to avoid excluding or discriminating against individuals or businesses based on religion when providing access to airport activities and facilities.
San Antonio and Buffalo Niagara airports have both faced public scrutiny over their handling of concession contracts. Those decisions are often influenced by a combination of commercial considerations, community response, and legal requirements. The FAA’s Office of Civil Rights will examine the facts and determine whether federal regulations were breached.
The outcome of these investigations could affect how airports evaluate and award concession opportunities in the future, particularly when a vendor’s public profile or perceived beliefs provoke strong public reaction. For airports that rely on federal grants to maintain and improve facilities, adherence to nondiscrimination rules remains a central obligation.
As the FAA proceeds, stakeholders on all sides — airport authorities, concession operators, passengers, and advocacy groups — will be watching for the agency’s findings and any guidance it issues to clarify how religious expression intersects with the rights and responsibilities of businesses operating in federally funded airports.