County Board Greenlights United Airlines Lease at Carlsbad Airport, Sparking Community Debate

Wednesday, the county Board of Supervisors approved a lease that will allow United Airlines to operate flights out of McClellan‑Palomar Airport in Carlsbad starting in March 2026.

Lease Details

On a 4-1 vote, supervisors approved a three‑year lease that includes two options for a one‑year extension. The agreement also features a partial first‑year fee waiver of $517,600, according to the supervisors’ agenda. The lease is designed to bring commercial service back to the airport after a hiatus since 2015.

Flight Schedule

United Airlines will operate a 70‑seat Embraer 175 twice a day to Denver and San Francisco International airports. The first flight departs at 7:30 a.m., while the last flight arrives at 9:50 p.m. Each leg will provide passengers with a convenient one‑stop connection to national and international markets.

Airport History

Jamie Abbott, county airports director, said McClellan‑Palomar Airport has a long history of commercial service. He noted that United Express previously operated there until 2015. Abbott added that the airport opened in 1959 and supports economic activity in the region.

Economic Impact

Abbott said, “We expect these positive impacts to grow with the addition of this lease agreement.” The county anticipates $1 million in revenue for each lease year, and industry groups are enthusiastic about job creation and other benefits.

Financial and Regulatory Support

Abbott added that the agreement will also “help ensure critical ongoing financial commitment from the (Federal Aviation Administration).” The lease does not involve any new significant impacts or warrant mitigation, and a voluntary noise abatement program will accompany the flight operations.

Prior Commercial Lease

In January, supervisors approved a lease with American Airlines to fly out of the Carlsbad airport starting in February. A petition was created by Citizens for a Friendly Airport to oppose the operation of commercial jets from the North County airport.

Resident Opposition

Following a staff presentation Wednesday, supervisors heard from some Carlsbad residents, most of whom voiced opposition to the United deal. “Do not sign this contract,” said Hope Nelson, of Citizens for A Friendly Airport. With American Airlines now flying out of Carlsbad, she said the county wanted to double‑down and was “not fooling anybody.”

Concerns About Expansion

Nelson added that “More flights will be the justification to build another runway, which will bring even bigger aircraft, Nelson said.” Dom Betro, of Palomar Airport Action Network, said the Palomar facility should be only for general aviation, not commercial. He also noted it was unknown if those using the airport are all North County residents and “could be anyone.”

City Perspective

A Carlsbad city official said the city was concerned about the county entering into the agreement without an amendment to the airport’s conditional use permit with the city. “The city has offered the opinion that this reflects poorly on responsible stewardship of the airport, and commitment to community engagement to identify strategies for minimizing negative impacts,” said Jason Haber, Carlsbad’s intergovernmental affairs director.

Legal and Procedural Concerns

Haber said it was better to await the outcome of a pending lawsuit in connection with the airport, and asked the board to delay voting on the lease. Board Chair Terra Lawson‑Remer, who voted no, also suggested the board delay any decision on the agreement and let county officials work with the city of Carlsbad on the voluntary noise abatement policy.

Board Dynamics

Lawson‑Remer said that while she appreciated United Airlines’ good faith efforts, she couldn’t support any deal. She added that Carlsbad residents are already frustrated with American Airlines flying out of the airport, and “we just get hit with this again before we’ve made any progress on the community’s noise concerns.”

Pilot Perspective

Her colleague Jim Desmond, a former commercial airline pilot, said the board’s assignment was not “to say yes or no to United — it’s yes or no to the ground lease.” Desmond said he understands the residents’ concerns about noise, but “we can’t restrict anybody from flying in or out of there.”

Capacity and Growth

He added that with Palomar only at 30% capacity, the agreement is within the planned growth projections. The lease, therefore, aligns with the airport’s long‑term development strategy.

Key Takeaways

• United Airlines will resume service at McClellan‑Palomar Airport in March 2026.
• The lease includes a fee waiver and options for extensions, with projected $1 million annual revenue.
• Community groups and city officials express concerns over noise, legal matters, and the airport’s future expansion.

Closing

The county Board’s decision marks a significant shift for Carlsbad’s aviation landscape, but it also underscores the complex balance between economic development, community impact, and regulatory oversight. Residents and stakeholders will continue to monitor how the lease unfolds and whether the promised benefits materialize without compromising local quality of life.