The future of McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad is up in the air, but a public meeting Thursday evening could reveal the trajectory.
The small regional airport already has a new public terminal, and the potential to grow into a facility that could take pressure off San Diego International Airport. Sleek new commercial terminal buildings have sprung up, built by private companies that find the airport handy for flying North County executives to and fro.
But at 4,900 feet, Palomar’s runway is too short to host the bigger planes that are looking for a place to land and take off.
There have been feasibility studies and public meetings, and now the Palomar Airport Advisory Committee appointed by County Supervisor Bill Horn is set to unveil its preferred alternative among four options for future growth. Their recommendation will go to the County Supervisors for a vote.
Apart from noise issues, there are engineering and financial challenges since an expanded runway would need to be built on an old landfill.
Whatever option is preferred, the plan will have to go through environmental studies and find funding before the long-awaited 20-year Palomar Airport Master Plan is cleared for take off.
The meeting runs from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Carlsbad City Hall.