Things are looking up for the McClellan-Palomar Airport, the 53-year-old county-owned facility that has become one of North County's biggest assets, and whose long-term future is being established with decisions and events that are taking place today.
From the arrival of the first plane of an eagerly-anticipated new airline, to the upcoming start of a $3.58 million taxiway reconstruction project in November, and an ongoing study to determine whether the runway will be extended, the airport continues to evolve, as does its role in the future of North County.
Early in July, California Pacific Airlines welcomed it's first plane, a 72-passenger twin-engine Embraer 170 jet. The airline, pending approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, will offer direct flights to several national and international cities, including Oakland, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Cabo San Lucas. If things go as planned for the new company, it would be the only Carlsbad-based carrier to offer direct flights to multiple destinations. (United Express, operated by SkyWest, currently flies to the Los Angeles Airport).
CP Air's arrival is another entry in the airport's history, one that has ramped up considerably following the addition of the 18,000 square-foot state-of-the-art terminal in 2009, which brought improved baggage screening areas, a parking lot, a customs enforcement facility that enabled international travel and other amenities including Wi-Fi service, car rental agencies and The Landings at Carlsbad restaurant.
The changes have helped to grow the airport from a sleepy regional airport into a more active destination, one that last year had more than 137,000 flights, bringing tourists, business executives and visitors to North County. The airport is currently home to 274 aircraft.
Henry Schubach, founder of Schubach Aviation, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last month, said the changes to the airport over the years have been dramatic.
"The airport is a very different place than it was when I came here in the late '80s, in term of the facilities that are here now," said Schubach. "The facilities are vastly improved … some major money was spent here. It's now a real terminal, as opposed to a trailer."
Toward the Future
According to Supervisor Bill Horn, the airport is an important gateway into North County and an economic driver for the region.
"The last time we measured the economic impact of the airport, we found it brought hundreds of millions to the region in direct and indirect revenue," Horn said.
Asked what he thinks the future of the airport might be, Supervisor Horn said, "Lindbergh Field will eventually reach capacity, but the demand for executive, general aviation, and commercial flights will only continue to grow along with the region. I am optimistic that Palomar can take some of that capacity."
The County is currently studying the feasibility of expanding the runway by 1,100 feet. A study is expected to be completed early next year.
"If we can extend the runway, larger planes will be able to use the airport," Horn said.
“I would expect there to be an increase in flights, service providers, and business as a result."
Horn noted that the study includes a provision indicating that the county can "pull the plug" if it becomes clear at any point that the project would not be feasible.
Schubach says he thinks that expanding the runway would be "a tremendous safety improvement," though he notes that the airport has a good safety record. Also, he added, an expanded runway would allow planes to get off the ground sooner, which could improve noise levels in the surrounding areas, since planes would be flying over these areas at higher altitudes.
While the runway expansion has not been finalized, a project to improve three taxiways at the airport has, and is scheduled to start in November and conclude in April 2013.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the $3.58 million project in June. It will fix three deteriorating taxiways, which will improve safety and reduce wear and tear on the planes that fly out of the airport. The FAA will cover 90 percent of the total cost of the project, with $3.41 million in grants. The remaining money will be paid by the Airport Enterprise Fund Spending Plan.
Work on the taxiways will be done at night. The airport will reopen each morning, minimizing the impact to business and travel.
From the arrival of the first plane of an eagerly-anticipated new airline, to the upcoming start of a $3.58 million taxiway reconstruction project in November, and an ongoing study to determine whether the runway will be extended, the airport continues to evolve, as does its role in the future of North County.
Early in July, California Pacific Airlines welcomed it's first plane, a 72-passenger twin-engine Embraer 170 jet. The airline, pending approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, will offer direct flights to several national and international cities, including Oakland, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Cabo San Lucas. If things go as planned for the new company, it would be the only Carlsbad-based carrier to offer direct flights to multiple destinations. (United Express, operated by SkyWest, currently flies to the Los Angeles Airport).
CP Air's arrival is another entry in the airport's history, one that has ramped up considerably following the addition of the 18,000 square-foot state-of-the-art terminal in 2009, which brought improved baggage screening areas, a parking lot, a customs enforcement facility that enabled international travel and other amenities including Wi-Fi service, car rental agencies and The Landings at Carlsbad restaurant.
The changes have helped to grow the airport from a sleepy regional airport into a more active destination, one that last year had more than 137,000 flights, bringing tourists, business executives and visitors to North County. The airport is currently home to 274 aircraft.
Henry Schubach, founder of Schubach Aviation, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last month, said the changes to the airport over the years have been dramatic.
"The airport is a very different place than it was when I came here in the late '80s, in term of the facilities that are here now," said Schubach. "The facilities are vastly improved … some major money was spent here. It's now a real terminal, as opposed to a trailer."
Toward the Future
According to Supervisor Bill Horn, the airport is an important gateway into North County and an economic driver for the region.
"The last time we measured the economic impact of the airport, we found it brought hundreds of millions to the region in direct and indirect revenue," Horn said.
Asked what he thinks the future of the airport might be, Supervisor Horn said, "Lindbergh Field will eventually reach capacity, but the demand for executive, general aviation, and commercial flights will only continue to grow along with the region. I am optimistic that Palomar can take some of that capacity."
The County is currently studying the feasibility of expanding the runway by 1,100 feet. A study is expected to be completed early next year.
"If we can extend the runway, larger planes will be able to use the airport," Horn said.
“I would expect there to be an increase in flights, service providers, and business as a result."
Horn noted that the study includes a provision indicating that the county can "pull the plug" if it becomes clear at any point that the project would not be feasible.
Schubach says he thinks that expanding the runway would be "a tremendous safety improvement," though he notes that the airport has a good safety record. Also, he added, an expanded runway would allow planes to get off the ground sooner, which could improve noise levels in the surrounding areas, since planes would be flying over these areas at higher altitudes.
While the runway expansion has not been finalized, a project to improve three taxiways at the airport has, and is scheduled to start in November and conclude in April 2013.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the $3.58 million project in June. It will fix three deteriorating taxiways, which will improve safety and reduce wear and tear on the planes that fly out of the airport. The FAA will cover 90 percent of the total cost of the project, with $3.41 million in grants. The remaining money will be paid by the Airport Enterprise Fund Spending Plan.
Work on the taxiways will be done at night. The airport will reopen each morning, minimizing the impact to business and travel.