Airport Commission - October 21, 2026

The City of Santa Barbara Airport Commission met on October 21, 2026. Procurement discussions included a planned RFP for a long-term lease, expected to be issued in November or December, with a selection and lease targeted by March 2027. The airport has also issued an RFQ for a construction manager at risk for terminal improvements and is narrowing the field to three or four firms for interviews. Separately, the commission unanimously approved a five-year concessions lease with First Class Concessions, including a possible five-year extension, with staff directed on a best-efforts basis to address operating hours and potential facility investment. Commissioners discussed aligning concession hours with flight schedules and seeking refresh investments; staff noted that a separate RFP may be used for a future restaurant opportunity. The commission also approved advancing recommended noise-related approach and departure procedures for further study; staff estimated a subsequent design effort could cost about $100,000, with maintenance costs around $20,000 during maintenance cycles, subject to further review and City Council consideration.

Capital planning updates included approximately $14 million in anticipated discretionary funding for the Taxiway Bravo extension and glide-slope relocation, and a nearly $60 million security-system replacement project, now shifted to 2031 to preserve airport entitlement funding. The terminal improvement project could begin early work in 2027, with most construction expected in 2028. A south-side surface parking project is planned to add just under 500 stalls, with construction targeted for spring 2027. The airport’s climate adaptation plan was released for public comment through November 13, with potential grant-funded studies and future drainage and flood-mitigation projects under consideration; no specific awards for those projects were made at this meeting.