The FAA classifications have sparked community opposition to planned commercial flight expansions at Palomar Airport, with residents citing safety concerns.

CARLSBAD, Calif. — The Federal Aviation Administration has designated Palomar Airport, San Diego International and Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport as “hot spots” due to the potential for runway collision risks. More than 30 airports throughout California carry the same designation. The FAA classifications have sparked community opposition to planned commercial flight expansions at Palomar Airport, with residents citing safety concerns.

Air traffic controllers at Palomar Airport face visibility challenges that contributed to its “hot spot” designation. Larger planes on the taxiway can obstruct controllers’ views of smaller aircraft, creating potential hazards.

Commercial service is expanding at the Carlsbad facility. United Airlines plans to launch flights from the airport at the end of the month, while American Airlines already operates there. Community members argue the collision risk designations should block additional commercial flights.

“Do we have to wait for a tragedy to happen?” asked Dom Betro, a Carlsbad resident and member of Palomar Airport Action Advocates, a community group fighting against the expansion of Palomar Airport.

Betro raised concerns about large aircraft operations at the facility. “I think it’s part of the continuing problem of trying to bring big jets into this airport which is not rated for them and which is dangerous,” he said.

Betro also criticized the airport’s expansion plans. “They’re just going to move ahead, and they seem hell bent on wanting to expand this airport no matter the health and safety impacts to the community,” he told CBS 8.

However, Cliff Kaiser, chair of the Palomar Airport Advisory Committee and a pilot who uses the airport, views the hot spot designations differently. “This is clearly and emphatically a pilot advisory,” he said.

Kaiser described the purpose of the designations as protective guidance for pilots. “So that is an advisement to pilots like myself taxiing on the taxiway that if you see another airplane, the tower may not see that – so use extra caution,” Kaiser explained.

According to Kaiser, the hot spots have existed for years and serve as an effective safety mechanism without creating risk for residents. 

Legal action has followed the expansion plans. Citizens for a Friendly Airport, another community group, has filed two lawsuits challenging the flight expansions at Palomar Airport. No hearings have been scheduled in either case.

In a statement to CBS 8, the County of San Diego said: 

“The County of San Diego is committed to safe airport operations and regularly monitors conditions and plans for needed improvements.

FAA hot spots are an initiative by the FAA to increase safety. The hot spot diagram functions like advisory signs on a freeway warning of things like sharp curves, falling rock, upcoming intersections, etc.

Although Palomar’s FAA-noted hot spots have been known for years, there have been no incidents associated with them.  County Airports informs the local pilot community of the identified risks by hosting annual Runway Safety Actions Team (RSAT) meetings in collaboration with the FAA and pilot community.”