San Diego County approves American Airlines' new carlsbad service from Phoenix

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has reportedly given the green light to a two-year lease agreement that will allow American Airlines to operate daily flights between its hub at Phoenix (PHX) and McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) in Carlsbad.

The Dallas Fort Worth-based carrier will start daily operations in mid-February 2025, just in time for the spring travel rush.

The news comes after Carlsbad residents strongly opposed the airline's plan, mainly because of the noise from flights over nearby homes.

Beginning February 13, 2025, American Airlines will restart commercial operations at McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) in Carlsbad, California, reportedly ending a nearly three-decade hiatus.

American Airlines will operate from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), one of its primary hubs, using its fleet of Embraer E175 regional aircraft.

According to Planespotters.net data, American Eagle, a regional arm of American Airlines, currently operates a fleet of 220 Embraer E175 aircraft.

The route will be offered year-round. Phoenix (PHX) will be CLD's second destination with regularly scheduled service as public charter air carrier JSX serves Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) Las Vegas.

In May 2024, the air carrier began seasonal service between CLD and Scottsdale Airport (SCF), just outside Phoenix.

The reintroduction of flights from Carlsbad would provide travelers with an alternative to commuting to San Diego International or other airports in nearby counties, like Los Angeles.

Jamie Abbott, county airports director, told NBC San Diego that resuming commercial services will translate into approximately 150 additional jobs, adding:

Notably, the airport was previously served by United Express, with flights operated by SkyWest Airlines. However, in May 2015, United Express ended service to the airport due to changes in its fleet.

The airline transitioned to an all-regional jet fleet, and these aircraft required a runway longer than what the airport could accommodate.

Featuring a relatively short runway, McClellan-Palomar Airport is a problematic airport for legacy carriers to operate.

However, statistics show that the Embraer E175 aircraft the airline plans to use will be safe.

Despite excitement and anticipation by businesses and air travelers, Carlsbad residents strongly opposed any expansion of the airport, mainly due to noise pollution.

In December 2024, an attorney from the Carlsbad local group Citizens for a Friendly Airport sent a letter to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

On behalf of the group, Kathryn Pettit from Chatten-Brown Law Group urged the county to deny American from operating at McClellan-Palomar Airport.

Citizens for a Friendly Airport argues that American's E175 operations would bring commercial flights "not previously authorized" to McClellan-Palomar and violate San Diego County's updated master plan. The letter, seen by The San Diego Union-Tribune, said:

"This contract with American Airlines is yet another example of the county's efforts to circumnavigate the substantive requirements for changing the airport's designation by contracting with incompatibly large aircraft."

The E175, however, would not have any takeoff issues at McClellan-Palomar. The airport's runway is 4,897 feet in length.

According to GlobalAir, it requires a minimum runway length of 4,137 feet for takeoffs and 4,131 feet for landing.

Addressing the opposition from residents, Abbott stated that the county is legally obligated to negotiate in good faith with service providers seeking to lease space.

Failure to do so could result in the loss of future FAA grants or even the need to repay past grants, according to the report by NBC San Diego.