Date:
September 16, 2026 06
To:
Board of Supervisors
Title
Reopening the Agua Caliente Airport and Exploring Alternative Funding Options (Districts: 2)
End
Overview
The Agua Caliente Airport is a public, single runway, airport located in East County approximately one mile northeast of the Agua Caliente County Park. For decades, the County has supported the operations and maintenance of the airstrip based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the State of California and County of San Diego. Due to lack of State funding and increased maintenance costs, the County decided in early 2025 to request that the State revoke of the County’s operating permit and permanently close the airport. The public was given notice of the closure through a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM). However, because there were no tenants or advisory committee associated with the airstrip, there was no direct stakeholder outreach or community engagement regarding the closure, leaving many airport users and interested community members unaware of the decision until after it had been made.
Since its closure many aviation stakeholders and community members have expressed interest in exploring the possibility of reopening the airport and potential alternatives for operations and funding. Aviation stakeholders have identified the airport as providing recreational access to Agua Caliente County Park and the surrounding desert region, while supporting wildfire response, emergency medical evacuation, military activities, and specialized flight training. Furthermore, it has been noted that continued operation of the airport could support visitation and economic activity at Agua Caliente County Park and that additional outreach and promotion could increase utilization of the facility. Between 2017 and 2023, the airstrip consistently averaged between 3,300 and 4,400 total takeoffs and landings per year. On May 20, 2026, the Gillespie Field Development Council unanimously voted to s...
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