COUNTY — The long-awaited and controversial American Airlines lease agreement for McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad was unanimously approved by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors during its Wednesday meeting.
The hot-button issue has been ongoing since North County Pipeline reported in July that American Airlines sought to service the county-owned airport. Since then, thousands of residents have voiced their support and opposition, along with opposition from the cities of Carlsbad and Vista.
American Airlines will begin service on Feb. 13 with an Embraer E-175 for 76 passengers and connect passengers to Phoenix.
The supervisors took up the item after it was delayed in December due to the absence of Supervisor Joel Anderson and before the shocking resignation of former Chairwoman Nora Vargas. The board wanted all five supervisors present for the vote, which required four votes to be approved.
“Today’s approval of a lease with American Airlines (AA) by the Board of Supervisors is consistent with Palomar Airport’s approved uses and history, FAA regulation and federal law,” said Donna Durckel, a county spokeswoman. “The lease governs a two-year term for services at Palomar starting on Feb. 13, 2025. The return of commercial air service is supported by the Palomar Airport Advisory Committee and North County community and economic groups.
“The board’s action today and this lease will not expand the airport. American Airlines will use our existing facilities just like any other aircraft at Palomar Airport. Re-establishing commercial service at Palomar airport brings enormous benefits to the county and its airport system, including increasing revenue that supports all county airports and creating over 150 jobs.”
However, county staff cited federal law and court rulings as to why denying the lease agreement would open the county to possible litigation or corrective action. Since the county has accepted $123 million over the past 25 years from the Federal Aviation Administration, a denial of the American Airlines lease could have brought consequences such as the potential of reimbursing the FAA for the money it invested into San Diego County airports and a loss of federal funding throughout the county airport system, according to Jaime Abbott, the county director of airports.
He also cited two lawsuits brought by the FAA against the cities of Los Angeles and Santa Monica for denying similar actions at Van Nuys and Santa Monica airports, respectively.
The Carlsbad City Council, which has long been against any expansion and the arrival of American Airlines said they are exploring options.
“Staff are developing options for the City Council’s consideration, and they will be sharing them at a future closed session meeting,” the council said in a statement.
Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, who represents District 3 and Carlsbad, said she was angry about the lease agreement and how the FAA appears to be threatening the county.
However, the supervisors directed staff to collect more data on noise, along with the possibly installing more noise monitors at the airport.
“I feel like we’re being threatened,” she said of the FAA. “We could be sued either way. If we move forward, we could get sued by citizen’s groups or the city of Carlsbad and we already lost (a case). We basically have a gun to our head from the FAA. I’m very mad.”
Supervisor Jim Desmond, a former Delta pilot, said he supports the lease, although said residents have legitimate concerns over noise.
“I’m glad to see commercial service return to North County,” Desmond added. “There are legitimate concerns about increased noise. The E-175 is quieter than some of the older business jets that operate out of Palomar. We already have a terminal … we already have the facilities built for this type of service. It would be considered discriminatory to not approve.”
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