American Airlines (AA, Dallas/Fort Worth) aims to operate up to two daily flights between Phoenix Sky Harbor and San Diego McClellan Palomar with E175 equipment, commencing on February 13, 2025, via subsidiary Envoy Air. Regulatory issues stand in the way, however.
The County of San Diego has yet to approve granting American a lease to operate to and from the airport because this would allow a larger aircraft to fly from San Diego McClellan Palomar, an airport designed to handle smaller planes and currently only served by charter operators JSX Air and Advanced Air with E145, E135, and Do328-300 flights to Las Vegas Harry Reid, Mammoth Lakes, and Scottsdale, the ch-aviation schedules module shows.
Additionally, American Airlines is not able to comply with the Voluntary Noise Abatement Program (VNAP) in place at San Diego McClellan Palomar, which seeks to stop carriers from flying before 0700L (1500Z). The carrier is proposing that one of its flights take place at 0615L (1415Z) to connect passengers with its Phoenix hub.
United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare) was the last major carrier to serve San Diego McClellan Palomar, dropping its route there from Los Angeles International in 2015.
Dahvia Lynch, deputy chief administrative officer at the County of San Diego, urged the county's Board of Supervisors to grant American Airlines a two-year lease and waive USD351,428 of partial fees and charges to the carrier in the first year of operations.
