DATE:
January 8, 2025
04
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
CONTINUED ITEM FROM 12/11/2024 (10):
MCCLELLAN - PALOMAR AIRPORT - APPROVE LEASE WITH AMERICAN AIRLINES, REPEAL, WAIVE, OR AMEND BOARD POLICY F-44, AND RELATED CEQA FINDINGS (DISTRICTS: 3 AND 5)
Body
OVERVIEW
On December 11, 2024 (10), the Board of Supervisors (Board) voted to continue this item to the January 8, 2025 hearing. The County of San Diego (County) Department of Public Works (DPW) operates eight airports: Agua Caliente Springs Airport, Borrego Valley Airport, Fallbrook Community Airpark, Gillespie Field, Jacumba Airport, McClellan-Palomar Airport, Ocotillo Airport, and Ramona Airport. McClellan-Palomar Airport (Palomar) has been in operation in Carlsbad since 1959 and is designated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Commercial Service Airport. Aside from San Diego International Airport, Palomar is the only other airport in the County providing access to commercial flights. The airport has a terminal building and supporting infrastructure for commercial service with available space. As the operator of a Commercial Service Airport with available facilities, the County is obligated by federal law and FAA regulations to review and negotiate in good faith with aeronautical service providers wishing to lease space from the County to provide passenger service. The FAA certifies individual airlines for commercial operations, and as part of that process determines if proposed operations are compatible with an airport chosen by a carrier to support operations.
American Airlines is seeking a lease agreement (Attachment B) with the County to use the County's terminal building to begin passenger service at Palomar Airport. American Airlines proposes to operate the Embraer 175 aircraft (EMB 175), which is a dual-engine jet with a maximum of 76 seats. As part of the certification process, the FAA will certify that the EMB 175 can safely operate from Palomar using existing fa...
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