Project Would Include Redesign Of Existing Facilities

The Santa Barbara, CA Municipal Airport (KSBA) has launched a study that could lead to an expansion of FBO services at the field.

Noozhawk reports that airport officials are planning to reconfigure its FBO offerings beginning in 2022, which could result in a new FBO being added to the field supporting GA.

Currently, Signature Flight Support and Atlantic Aviation operate at KSBA. A third FBO, ACI Jet, has expressed interest in setting up shop at the airport.

The project has been called one of the most complex the airport is likely to undertake since a new airline terminal was designed. Deanna Zachrisson, the business development manager for the airport, said the project would make a "lasting difference", serving GA for the next 30 years, and lead to FBOs developing their own vision for the airport and the local aviation community.

The plan is being driven by a surge in airline operations at the airport, reducing the space available for GA. KSBA has added four commercial air carriers serving five non-stop destinations since 2016, according to the report. The plan would move both existing FBOs to the north side of the airport. Atlantic Aviation currently is located on the southeast side of the field.

Airport Director Henry Thompson said the analysis is focusing in part on what is the right mix of GA, cargo and commercial operations at KSBA. "It is going to be a balancing act to determine the exact amount," he said.

Officials anticipate the completion of a financial analysis of the project later this year, and that an RFP will be issued early in 2021. Negotiations and groundbreaking for the project are currently forecast to begin in 2022.

FMI: Source report