CARLSBAD — In less than two weeks, commercial airline service returns to McClellan-Palomar Airport.
California Pacific Airlines will launch its service to San Jose on Nov. 1, Reno on Nov. 2, followed by routes to Las Vegas and Phoenix on Nov. 15. In addition, the company announced it will add future routes to Oakland and Sacramento.
Also, CP Air CEO Paul Hook said Oct. 10 the airline has sold more than 1,000 tickets since it unveiled its ticketing service in August.
A message to speak with Hook was not returned prior to deadline.
As for Las Vegas and Phoenix, CP Air will run round-trip flights to McCarran International Airport and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, which is about 20 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix.
According to a press release from CP Air, the airline will use its 50-seat airplanes to start service and then incorporate 75-seat aircraft.
“The benefit to North County will be immense, allowing hassle free (sic) travel to the attractive business and leisure destinations,” the release read. “The savings in parking fees and travel time to Carlsbad Palomar Airport means by the time you have driven to San Diego, arriving two hours early for your flight, waited in line to pass TSA inspections and found your gate, California Pacific Airlines could already have you at your destination.”
CP Air Chief Operating Officer Mickey Bowman said in a previous interview the budding airline signed its lease with San Diego County at McClellan-Palomar Airport “a couple weeks ago.”
Bowman said the airline will start with four, three-person crews based out of Carlsbad and in the coming weeks will begin to hire mechanics and “station” staff, people who will handle ticketing and other responsibilities.
CP Air will be the second commercial airline to operate out of McClellan-Palomar Airport this year. Cal Jet Elite Air launched operations last year, but shut down in April.
The company announced it would return in June with more routes, but has not returned to service.
Nevertheless, CP Air will be the only commercial option in North County for the foreseeable future. Fares range between $99 to Las Vegas and San Jose and $148.99 to Reno. The airline offers both refundable and nonrefundable tickets with the nonrefundable tickets being less expensive.
CP Air’s flight schedule for San Jose includes two flights departing from Carlsbad, one at 7 a.m., the other at 6 p.m., with return flights at 8:45 a.m. and 7:45 p.m. Travel time is one hour, 15 minutes. The 7 a.m. flight runs seven days per week, while the 6 p.m. is Sunday through Friday.
Going to Reno, passengers will depart at 10:30 a.m. and arrive at noon. The return flight departs at 12:55 p.m. and flights operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
On Tuesday and Thursday’s, the flight departs Carlsbad to Las Vegas at 10:45 a.m. and returns from Las Vegas at 12:40 p.m. On Sunday, an outbound flight to Las Vegas leaves at 2:30 p.m., with a return flight at 4:10 p.m.
Finally, going to Phoenix passengers will have one Saturday outbound flight at 10:45 a.m., with the return trip slated for 1:20 p.m. Monday through Friday, meanwhile, flights depart at 2:30 p.m., and depart Phoenix at 5:05 p.m.
