Board approves American Airlines lease at McClellan‑Palomar; repeal of board policy F44 and fee waivers draw public opposition

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Jan. 8, 2025, to approve a two‑year lease with American Airlines to resume commercial service at McClellan‑Palomar Airport starting Feb. 13, 2025, repeal language in county board policy F44 that limited seat size, and authorize fee waivers for the first year of operations.

County Airports Director Jamie Abbott told the board that American Airlines plans two daily round‑trips to Phoenix Sky Harbor using an Embraer 175 regional jet (76 seats). Abbott said Palomar qualifies as a federally recognized commercial service airport and emphasized that FAA grant assurances require the county to make airport facilities available without unjust discrimination; he warned that denial of access could risk FAA grant funding and, in prior cases, has led to corrective actions or funding threats. Abbott said FAA grants have funded the majority of recent airport capital work and that the lease is expected to generate about $600,000 in annual revenue…