The county Board of Supervisors on Wednesday approved a lease for United Airlines to fly out of McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad beginning in March.
On a 4-1 vote, supervisors approved the three-year lease, which also features two options for a one-year extension and a partial, first-year fee waiver of $517,600, according to county documents.
United Airlines would fly a 70-seat, Embraer 175 model twice a day to Denver and San Francisco International airports. The first flight would depart at 7:30 a.m. and the last would arrive at 9:50 p.m.
Following a presentation Wednesday, supervisors heard from some Carlsbad residents, most of whom opposed 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.” More flights will be the justification to build another runway, which will bring even bigger aircraft, Nelson said.
