CARLSBAD — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 8 unanimously approved a lease agreement with American Airlines at McClellan-Palomar Airport, marking the return of commercial air service to Carlsbad after nearly a decade.
The deal, initially reported by North County Pipeline, allows American Airlines’ regional subsidiary Envoy Air to operate two daily flights to Phoenix starting Feb. 13 using 76-seat Embraer 175 regional jets under the American Eagle brand.
The two-year lease is expected to generate over $600,000 annually in revenue, according to Jamie Abbott, the county’s director of airports.
“Resuming commercial service will bolster the economic impact for the region and help ensure critical ongoing financial commitment from the FAA,” Abbott said during the meeting. He noted that the airport supports approximately 2,600 jobs and contributes $461 million annually in economic activity.
Abbott also emphasized the importance of adhering to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant assurances. Failure to approve the lease could jeopardize the county’s access to FAA funding, which has totaled over $123 million for Palomar Airport since 1999.
“If the board chooses not to approve the lease agreement with American Airlines, it poses a risk of the county losing FAA grant funding for current and future capital projects,” Abbott said.
The meeting drew extensive public input, with 28 speakers addressing the board and over 1,100 e-comments submitted. Supporters of the lease highlighted the economic benefits and reduced traffic to San Diego International Airport, while opponents raised concerns about noise, environmental impacts, and safety.
“Palomar Airport is a vital part of North County,” said Darren Miller, speaking on behalf of the San Diego County Airport Lessees Association. “Adding commercial flights at Palomar would greatly benefit our community as a whole.”
However, residents living near the airport voiced strong opposition.
“Palomar Airport is a B2-size airport and must remain that,” said Vista resident Stephanie Jackel. “We residents who live in the path of the aircraft already suffer enough with the current airplane overflights.”
Vice Chair Terra Lawson-Remer expressed frustration with federal restrictions limiting local control but acknowledged the financial risks of rejecting the lease.
“I feel like we have a gun to our head with the FAA saying, ‘Take this deal, or we’re going to take … somewhere between $5 million and $150 million of your money and sue you,'” Lawson-Remer said.
The board also approved amendments to Board Policy F-44, removing seat restrictions to comply with FAA regulations. The policy previously limited aircraft seating capacity, a condition deemed inconsistent with federal grant assurances.
Despite approving the lease, the board directed staff to enhance noise monitoring around the airport. Additional noise monitors will be installed, and efforts to gather data for potential noise mitigation measures will be expanded.
The approval marks a significant step in revitalizing commercial air service at McClellan-Palomar Airport, underutilized since United Express ceased operations in 2015.
Supervisor Jim Desmond, who represents the district that includes the flight path of planes in and out of the airport, supported the agreement, emphasizing its compliance with FAA requirements.
“It would be considered discriminatory for us not to approve without a qualifying safety or administrative reason, for which there is none,” Desmond said. “The Embraer 175 is actually quieter than some of the business jets that already operate out of Palomar 24/7.”
Outbound flights to Phoenix will depart at 6:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m., and return flights to Carlsbad are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets start at $271.
