McClellan–Palomar Airport (Palomar Airport) (IATA: CLD, ICAO: KCRQ, FAALID: CRQ) is a public airport three miles (4.8 km; 2.6 nmi) southeast of CarlsbadinSan Diego County, California. It is owned by the County of San Diego.[1] The airport is used for both general aviation and commercial aviation. As of March 2013, the airport was the fourth-busiest single runway airport in the United States.
Most U.S. airports use the same three-letter location identifier for the FAA and IATA, but McClellan–Palomar Airport is CRQ to the FAA and CLD to the IATA. The ICAO identifier is KCRQ.[3][4]
McClellan–Palomar Airport covers 466 acres (189 ha) and has one asphaltrunway, 6/24, 4,897 ft × 150 ft (1,493 m × 46 m). The airport also has one asphalt helipad that is 40 by 50 feet (12 x 15 m).[1]
In the year ending December 31, 2021, the airport had 140,451 aircraft operations, an average of 385 per day: 93% general aviation, 6% air taxi, <1% scheduled commercial, and <1% military. 284 aircraft were then based at this airport: 164 single-engine, 79 jet, 26 multi-engine, 14 helicopter, and 1 glider.[1]
It opened a $24-million terminal on January 29, 2009.[6][7]
As of October 26, 2010, Palomar Airport's long-term parking rates (30 day maximum) increased from $3 to $5 per day.
Surf Air is a private air charter company that offers flights between McClellan–Palomar, selected California cities, and Las Vegas. The company began its first flights in 2013 and expanded to San Diego by late 2014, operating from the Atlantic Aviation FBO.[14]Clay Lacy Aviation also operates at McClellan–Palomar Airport,[15] providing aircraft management services, charters using the company's fleet of business jets, and full-service aircraft maintenance.
The airport was previously served by United Express with flights operated by SkyWest Airlines. In May 2015, United Express ended service to the airport due to the phaseout of their Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia turboprop aircraft as SkyWest then transitioned to an all regional jet fleet with these aircraft requiring a runway longer than the airport's runway length.[16][17]
JetsuiteX (subsequently rebranded JSX) announced charter flight services to Burbank and San Jose starting October 17, 2016. However; due to low customer demand, the scheduled services to and from Carlsbad airport were canceled.
On August 16, 2017, the airport announced new commercial jet service from Cal JetbyElite Airways, which planned to operate daily commercial flights to Las Vegas starting September 28, 2017. County officials said Cal Jet planned on operating a Bombardier CRJ700 with 63 Seats, becoming the first commercial service at the airport since 2015. Cal Jet will operate out of the main commercial terminal, with the hope of adding other cities such as San Jose, Oakland, Sacramento, and Phoenix in the near future. As of August 2017, tickets were on sale, with fares starting at $69 one-way.[23][24][25] Cal Jet abruptly ended service in April 2018.[26]
The airport was the headquarters for California Pacific Airlines, which planned flights on four routes from the airport. On August 27, 2018, the airline announced service would begin on November 1, 2018, with service to San Jose, California, and Reno, Nevada, to be followed by service to Las Vegas, Nevada and Phoenix, Arizona beginning November 15, 2018.[27] This service was reduced from an initial plan to serve six destinations including Sacramento, California; Oakland, California; and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.[28] California Pacific Airlines ceased operations as of January 16, 2019.[29] In January 2020, owner Ted Vallas stated that California Pacific Airlines planned to resume service in the future,[30] but ultimately the airline's operating certificate was revoked in October 2020.[31]
Owner Ted Vallas died in November of that year.[32]
On January 24, 2006, a Cessna Citation V landing on runway 24 on a flight from Friedman Memorial AirportinHailey, Idaho, burst into flames after crashing into a self-storage facility adjacent to the airport. All four aboard (two passengers and two crew) were killed; no one on the ground was hurt.[5]
On April 29, 2007, a Cessna 182 Skylane carrying three people crashed about 1 mile (1.6 km) offshore shortly after takeoff at 9:30 a.m.[33]
On July 3, 2007, a Beechcraft 90 King Air carrying two people crashed after taking off shortly after 6 a.m. in dense fog. The aircraft hit power lines, which caused power outages for local residents and businesses. The two on board died.[34][35]
On September 22, 2008, a Cessna 152 crashed just west of College Boulevard on the extended centerline after departing runway 24. The aircraft had two on board, who were both injured and evacuated by air.[36]
On September 28, 2008, a Beechcraft Bonanza crashed southeast of the airport after the pilot aborted a landing attempt in fog. The pilot was alone and was killed.[37]
On July 16, 2022, a Socata TB-21 on approach to the airport made a forced landing on a nearby street, striking a car and causing minor injuries to two in the car and two in the aircraft. The cause of the accident is under investigation.[39]
