The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a new lease Wednesday allowing American Airlines to more than double its commercial flights at McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad.
Read more Man assaulted on Escondido street taken to hospital
Effective Thursday, American will have two more daily round trips from Carlsbad to Phoenix in the 76-seat Embraer 175 jets that have been operating out of Palomar since February 2025.
The new three-year lease replaces a two-year agreement approved in January 2025. With two optional one-year extensions, the new deal could be in place until May 20, 2031. It also allows an additional 10 seasonal flights a year likely to be scheduled during holidays when air travel increases.
Carlsbad Intergovernmental Affairs Director Jason Haber told the supervisors the new lease is “a clear shift from what is authorized” under a conditional-use permit issued years ago by the city.
“The city asks you to delay approval of this lease,” Haber said, asking for more time to work with the county and determine whether the agreement reflects the community’s needs.
Jamie Abbott, the county’s director of airports, said county officials are “comfortable” that the additional flights are allowed under Carlsbad’s permit.
“That discussion is being had with Carlsbad,” Abbott said. “We have a past history of airline service at Carlsbad.”
American Airlines’ regional service, known as American Eagle, flew daily between Carlsbad and Los Angeles from 1991 to 1997.
The local watchdog group Citizens for a Friendly Airport filed a suit against the county and American weeks after the supervisors approved last year’s lease. The group claims the agreement violated the California Environmental Quality Act on issues such as noise and air pollution and a county policy that limits aircraft using the airport to a maximum of 70 seats.
San Diego Superior Court Judge Gregory Pollack approved the city of Carlsbad’s request to join the group’s lawsuit in November 2025. The case remains undecided.
Read more As Islamic Center reopens after deadly attack, San Diego Muslims express uneasiness, defiance
American Airlines Director of State and Local Government Affairs Eddie Angeles said the company is trying to compete with United Airlines.
The county supervisors approved a lease in December with United Airlines for four daily round-trip flights from Carlsbad to San Francisco and Denver that started in March. The Citizens group filed a separate lawsuit to stop United, but so far the city has not joined that one.
“When we started this commercial service a couple years ago, it was a bit of a test of the market,” Angeles said, and the results indicate “there is a viable demand for service.”
United Airlines’ regional United Express provided service between Carlsbad and Los Angeles from 1996 to 2016. United used a 30-passenger turboprop for the flights, which ceased when the company switched to new jets that needed a longer runway.
Estrella Flores, assistant manager of the Carlsbad Jet Center at the airport, said many residents appreciate the convenience of the local facility.
“A healthy airport system benefits everyone … including businesses like Carlsbad Jet Center,” Flores said. “The long-term success of the airport supports continued investment in the community.”
County officials said the new lease is expected to generate $1 million annually for the operation of county airports.
Palomar airport supports 2,600 jobs in the region, Abbott said.
Airports receive no money from the county’s general fund. More than 90% of all funding for capital improvements at Palomar comes from federal grants, which could be withheld if the county were to deny the lease, Abbott said.
Read more Owner of ‘Peanuts’ music sues 3 companies and US government alleging illegal use of its catchy tunes
