Santa Barbara’s Airline Terminal Marks a Decade of Service
Source: Santa Barbara Airport
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is celebrating the month of August, which marks the Airline Terminal’s ten years of service to the greater Santa Barbara region. The 72,000-square-foot, Spanish Colonial Revival-style terminal has been providing convenient air service to points around the United States and beyond since its completion in 2011.
Currently, the terminal provides space for four major airlines and handles more than two dozen departures every day. With four distinctive glass boarding bridges and four outdoor ground boarding positions, the facility serves aircraft as small as a 50-seat CRJ-200 and as large as the 172 passenger 737-7 MAX. In 2019, SBA handled nearly 1 million passengers, and is on track toward a swift recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Part of the terminal project, which began construction in 2008, included the restoration of the original passenger terminal, the Earle Ovington terminal, named after Santa Barbara’s pioneering air mail aviator. Today, the Ovington terminal sits beside the new terminal and provides space for meetings and administrative offices.
The Airport originated commercial air service in 1936 in the terminal originally built by United Airlines under a 50-year lease. The terminal resumed commercial service after the second World War and the site of the Airport was deeded to the City of Santa Barbara by the federal government. Over the decades, the original building was expanded by way of various add-ons and a conglomeration of outdoor tented facilities, possible due to Santa Barbara’s favorable weather. Numerous initiatives to build a new terminal were attempted over the years without coming to fruition. Ultimately, it was impossible to stave off the need for a modern facility indefinitely.
After the changes in aviation security following the 2001 terrorist attacks, the Ovington terminal became increasingly antiquated and ill-equipped to meet the demands of modern aviation. Long-time residents may recall that there was no food service or restrooms past the security checkpoint. Flight operations required new, modern IT infrastructure to assure passenger and aircraft safety – and later to meet the expectation of free WiFi service.
“We have learned a lot in the last ten years, and we are thrilled that the community has come to embrace SBA as the region’s closest and most convenient airport,” says Airport Director, Henry Thompson. “We are here to serve the travel needs of the community, while we also warmly welcome visitors to our beautiful area.”
To commemorate the milestone month, SBA will share historical highlights and trivia questions via social media on its Facebook, Instagram and Twitter platforms. The official opening day of August 18 will feature many surprises for passengers who happen to be traveling that day, including snacks, giveaways, and festive décor to celebrate together as a community.
Highlights to honor the past decade:
- In 2011, The Airport averaged 1,000 passengers boarding per day. On busy days in July 2021 there were over 2,000 passengers boarding.
- SBA’s Terminal building is certified “Gold” by U.S. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
- United Airlines is the longest standing airline partner since 1936, and the newest, Southwest Airlines, was welcomed this year.
- SBA’s Terminal features numerous works of local artistry including “Fiesta,” a bright, 60-foot mural by local painter Channing Peake near the security checkpoint.
SBA continues to follow Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines and is staying in close communication with Santa Barbara County Health, as well as state and federal agencies, to ensure safety guidelines and cleaning protocols are strictly followed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For information about specific airlines, destinations, and departure/arrival schedules, please visit www.flysba.com.
31 Comments
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Aug 19, 2021 11:33 AMHappy birthday, airport terminal. You're growing up so fast!
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Aug 19, 2021 11:47 AMNice looking airport, even though expensive, it helps retain airlines to SBA.
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Aug 19, 2021 11:56 AMWe have such an awesome airport...cheers to 10 years!
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Aug 19, 2021 12:14 PMIt would be nice if the airport was more considerate of the locals. The recent change in approach path is obvious and really annoying but the airport simply denies a change or says it has no say in how the pilots follow the rules or whatever. I cannot believe that the airlines will not comply with reasonable requests to be nice to people in the area so it seems to me that the airport is either complicit in denial that there is a problem or intimidated that they will lose a tenant if they do anything. Unfortunately this is really one of the areas where government seems pretty much out of the reach of the voters.
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Aug 19, 2021 01:35 PMThe airport is very considerate of locals. As a local that uses the airport often I am more than satisfied with the short lines, multiple airlines (especially now) and easy access to flights that can connect me with the world. All of SB locals are fortunate to have such a lovely, friendly, and easily accessible airport.
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Aug 19, 2021 01:56 PMThe airport has no say in approach procedures or pilot decisions. That's the FAA's domain. And ultimately it's a requirement of the pilot that he or she make the decision of what's the best, safest, most appropriate approach. For runway 25, the circle to land approach over More Mesa is often limited by offshore fog, other inbound traffic, and the size and speed of the approaching aircraft. If the the circle to land approach can't be efficiently or safely done, the more standard straight-in approach is what will happen. Airport has no input into that at all.
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Aug 19, 2021 02:23 PMBosco--90% of the locals will not use the airport once a decade. The idea that you, as a frequent consumer who can afford the extra cost of SB flights, want the rest of us to be annoyed and interrupted in our daily lives is what is meant by inconsiderate.
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Aug 19, 2021 03:09 PMOften no extra cost. when booking from SBA to many of their international hubs that link to the rest of the world as your final destination - plus saving time and money getting to LA. SBA-Dallas being a good one to get to their international connections - no difference in costs starting at SBA. Check out the fares sometimes. Surprised me too.
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Aug 19, 2021 04:17 PMI total agree, they should consider safety first and fly in over the ocean to make their landing. I am now seeing large commercial planes come in for a landing from my home in the past year. Flying over main roads where thousands of homes are located is down right dangerous. Besides the jet fuel bad for health (carinogenic), it heats up the environment, making trees and vegetation drier and more susceptible to fire, especially since we are in a drought, and have high winds regularly. If an accident were to occur over a residential areas it would impact the whole town,/ city block main roads, knock out power, impact food supply grocery stores in the area, create a massive fire, and injure thousands creating utter chaos. It would create hundreds of millions of dollars in damages and lawsuits for the County. The pilot should know it is safer to approach and take off over the ocean creating less damage when an accident occurs then impacting a whole city, town etc..
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Aug 19, 2021 04:29 PMI total agree, they should consider safety first and fly in over the ocean to make their landing. I am now seeing large commercial planes come in for a landing from my home just during the past year. Flying over main roads where thousands of homes are located is down right dangerous. Besides the fact that jet fuel is bad for health (carcinogenic) and impacts peoples immune system during covid-19, it heats up the environment. This makes trees and vegetation drier and more susceptible to fire, especially since we are in a drought, and have high winds regularly. If an accident were to occur over a residential areas it would impact the whole town,/ city, block main roads out, knock out power, impact food supply grocery stores, impact schools, hospitals in the area, create a massive fire, and injure thousands creating utter chaos. It would create hundreds of millions of dollars in damages and lawsuits for the County. The pilot /FAA/ County should know it is safer to approach and take off over the ocean creating less damage when an accident occurs.
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Aug 20, 2021 01:34 PMSun, Before you go off you should have checked some facts. The problem with your solution is that there is no jet runway aligned with the ocean. The jet runway is aligned with the prevailing winds and is basically east and west.
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Aug 20, 2021 05:52 PMIn the 20 plus years, I have not had planes prepare their approach landing near my home. The more mesa is an open field , it makes no sense to now start flying near high populated residential areas. Two planes were down this week. Please explain (A1629491648) how now suddenly planes are approaching near my home, my house hasn't moved.
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Aug 20, 2021 05:56 PM@A1629491648 nor has the fog situation changed ....
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Aug 19, 2021 12:38 PM10 years, $65million and they still dont have a clock or a filtered water fountain. Now I could give them a pass on the filtered water fountain - although its the only airport in the west without one, but not having an actual clock, on the wall, in plain sight, in an airport, that cost this much? This is just one fine example of how inept and our local government is at fulfilling the most basic of jobs. Or maybe they had a committee of citizens, elected officials and employees meet 12 times and determine that clocks were an affront to the aesthetics and foster an imbalance of equity for those who cannot tell time...
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Aug 19, 2021 01:16 PMMan, that's really straining at a gnat. Do you always have to work so hard to be negative?
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Aug 19, 2021 03:37 PMDid you know that your phone displays the time? Also, they have these things called watches, which, with just a quick glance at your wrist, will provide that information without craning your neck or turning around.
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Aug 19, 2021 09:55 PMYou can find the exact time on the arrival-departure display boards found around the airport - main lobby, rental car-baggage claim area. Plus the airline desks have the time on their display boards too.
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Aug 22, 2021 06:58 AMThe architects appreciate your praise for their timeless design.
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Aug 20, 2021 08:40 AMOne of the things I liked about SB when I first moved here in 1998 was the relative quietness downtown -- no helicopters or airplanes flying around, and no planes towing banners at the beach. With Cottage Hospital's newish heliport, the uptick in flights in/out of SBA, and the Chumash Casino towing banners around, that sure has changed, and not for the better.
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Aug 20, 2021 09:14 AMThe plane towing banner shouldn’t be allowed. There should be some pushback and pressure on the casino. That is tacky.
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Aug 20, 2021 08:56 AMSo 24 flights/day and cost $65M to build? Does the revenue even pay the interest on the debt?
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Aug 20, 2021 09:32 AMSB Airports new terminal was mostly funded with Federal Grant funds, something like 90%. The terminal is a breath of fresh air compared to the previous 70 year old facility. The flight paths have not changed, the only change is new air service from Southwest Airlines and those pilots are new to the area and are learning where the noise sensitive areas are. It will calm down. BTW the airliners flying in and out of SB ares some of the quietest and most modern made. The weather/coastal fog layer that pushes onshore near More Mesa sometimes forces pilots to turn final for runway 25 a little longer/closer to Modoc. Not all the time btw. How do I know all of this? I fly jets in and out of SB almost daily and have been doing such since 1986.
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Aug 20, 2021 09:48 AMIt is a cold unwelcoming building. The design looks like it was done by committee. It has no where near the charm of the old building. Yes sometimes the old building was really crowded, but it had history and a real SB feel. A mural by Channing Peak does not make it any better. Should have incorporated the old terminal into the design, not as museum that no one visits. Oh BTW I am million mile flyer on a couole of airlines. cheers
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Aug 20, 2021 10:42 AMSanta Barbara Airport is great. Easy in & out, beautiful & convenient. Fares are low and not having to go to LA is a bonus for sure.
We should be grateful we have such a great resource and for a few minutes of noise, don't people have more important things to complain about. The people in Afghanistan can't even get out of their airport.
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Aug 20, 2021 01:54 PMIf they're calling this very spare modern building, Spanish Colonial Revival then what would you call the charming building that used to house our airport ?
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Aug 20, 2021 02:56 PMA small room with no bathroom.
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Aug 20, 2021 03:06 PMSince open public spaces tend to get abused by our transient population, who lives in the marshes nearby, they had to take out many of the welcoming aspects of the downstairs lobby area. Upstairs for ticketed passengers, who have gone through screening, is very welcoming, bright with windows and expansive views. Keep in mind easy passengers access to the airplane loading ramps has to be higher than ground level, so the working part of this building is designed to be more on the second floor - waiting area, shops, restaurants, bar. The first floor lobby space is more utilitarian for passenger pick up and drop off, baggage check and ticket desks. Do miss the upstairs public restaurant in the old building. Fun to watch the flight line while watching planes come and go. Maybe a future design expansion will bring that back.
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Aug 20, 2021 07:17 PMI'd call the style of the old terminal building at our airport "antiquated." I remember some of its negatives: 1) queuing up in dark and cold lines outside the terminal to be screened by TSA; 2) once admitted to Gates 8 & 9 (formerly United), not finding enough to seats to sit down upon during the 6 am departure rush; 3) no drinking fountains, no bathrooms, no coffee and no food in any post security gate areas; 4) retrieving your luggage under a white tent next to the terminal; 5) rental car counters a walk down the street. Yeah, the old terminal was great for the same folks that liked to brag that when they were young they walked through six feet of snow to get to school......
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Aug 21, 2021 08:01 PM@A-1629491648 best you do your research on Noise Abatement Procedure and check out the maps
Note the maps for Sensitive Areas in Yellow, and procedure regarding complaints is found int the SBA
report
https://www.flysba.santabarbaraca.gov/about/contact-us/aircraft-noise-advisory-program
Voluntary Noise Abatement Procedures
Noise Abatement Procedures for VFR Flights
Noise Abatement Procedures - High Performance Aircraft
Noise Reports
Santa Barbara Airport Noise Report May 2021
Those who would like to file a noise complaint can do so at the following
Santa Barbara Municiple Airport
601 firestone Rd
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
Telephone: (805) 967-1900
check for email to file complaint by calling the number
Noise Management Information www.santabarbaraca.gov/gov/depts/flysba/about/insidesba/noiseabatement.asp
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Aug 23, 2021 07:00 PMA must-read full of information:
https://www.noozhawk.com/article/santa_barbara_airport_neighbors_sound_off_over_jet_noise_20210808
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Aug 23, 2021 08:59 PMRemember the 707s they used to fly into SBA in the '80s? Incredibly loud, as were the 737-200s and DC-9s they flew then (I lived in the Ellwood flight path during that time). Today's planes are orders of magnitude quieter. Count your blessings.