Carlsbad’s McClellan-Palomar Airport is set to expand commercial service later this month, but it’s on a federal list of over 30 California airports with “hot spots” for potential aircraft collisions. Local group Citizens for a Friendly Airport argues that the County Board of Supervisors should have addressed safety concerns before allowing the resumption of commercial flights.
The airport has had 174,971 takeoffs and landings from October 2024 to September 2025, with United Airlines planning to add new flights starting March 30. Citizens groups have filed lawsuits to block United Airlines from operating at the airport, citing unresolved safety issues.
There are two notable hot spots at McClellan-Palomar: one involves visibility issues when a large jet is parked on the taxiway, and the other relates to pilots accidentally turning onto the wrong taxiway. Airport officials acknowledge these issues but state that there have been no incidents due to them. Solutions like relocating the control tower would be costly and impractical.
The FAA’s hotspot list serves as a warning for pilots to practice caution. Similar concerns exist at other San Diego airports, with active measures underway to improve safety. Overall, no collisions have been reported related to these hot spots.
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