Anonymous
Source: Santa Barbara Airport
In a move that City of Santa Barbara Mayor Cathy Murillo calls a “game changer for our entire region,” Southwest Airlines announced today its ‘intent to serve’ Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) beginning in the 2nd quarter of 2021. “This news couldn’t come at a better time,” said Murillo. “We see the light at the end of the tunnel with the pandemic, and Southwest will come to Santa Barbara just as we all are eager to travel again.”
Southwest’s announcement precedes more news to come in the next few weeks about the number of daily flights and the destinations that will be served. As one of the nation’s largest airlines, Southwest provides connecting service to more than 101 destinations in the continental U.S., Hawaii, Mexico and beyond.
Even though the timing may seem unexpected, it is the result of many years of efforts by members of the community, the City, the hospitality industry, local business and the education sector to bring Southwest’s unique no-fuss, low fare service to the region. Visit Santa Barbara’s CEO Kathy Janega-Dykes predicts: “the arrival of Southwest Airlines will bring new customers for Santa Barbara’s hotels, restaurants, wineries and attractions. Their famously low fares and expansive network will make us an even stronger competitor for leisure travelers, meetings and destination weddings.”
The entrance of Southwest Airlines to new markets is known for creating a “Southwest effect” by increasing both competition and demand for air service. A recent forecast by the University of California, Santa Barbara estimated that new service by Southwest may generate as many as 1,200 new jobs and more than $300 million in annual economic benefit. South Coast Chamber of Commerce CEO Kristen Miller said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled on behalf of our local businesses and higher education. The economic benefit is enormous, and it will give us the boost we need as business recovers in 2021.”
A big FU from Goleta!
There have been between 5 – 7 large daily commercial carriers crossing Goleta and north Santa Barbara 2 to 8 times or more each and every day in the past few years . We really need another carrier in the mix to serve our relatively modest population? Or is it just the “hotels, restaurants, wineries and attractions” that will benefit? This beautiful region does not need to sell our clean blue skies and peace of mind to the noise and pollution propagating tourism gods.
The carriers rarely follow the flight path over their Goleta north exit. They roar directly into the neighborhoods along UCSB corridor, do a little sightseeing, the hang a tight left over the ocean heading to Los Angeles. At 6 am they wake the entire area up with their low flights.
OMG, they aren’t even here yet and people are whining. We need this service. Aren’t all of you who fly tired of being crammed on UA Canadair regional jets, and same for American? Sure right now both UA and AA and Alaska are using some EMB175s. My hunch is they will be flying to Oakland, for northern connection, and to Hawaii via OAK….when traffic picks up to Hawaii is their gateway. Probably a trip to Denver and a couple trips to Phoenix. That pretty much covers the entire country on a REAL jet! So, stop complaining about noise on the griffin Mesa ( you guys complain about EVERYTHING) and so what if Goleta gets a bit of an early morning wake up call! This city has tried for years to get Southwest here and now it’s finally gonna happen.
Ugh, more noise & air pollution. There’s good reason to complain.
Such a whiner.
I have more noise from my loud neighbors and like it matters that we have a little more pollution…….how about all those plastic containers you might be using to get your take away whilst restaurants are closed. Let the airlines come, stop complaining and let’s welcome a little roar of engines for about 30 seconds which will help our world begin to travel snd get back in order again