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Zoom! across the Atlantic Nonstop service to Europe returns to San Diego |
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Get ready for nonstop flights between San Diego and London! Zoom Airlines Limited, a leading low-fare transatlantic airline, announced it will begin nonstop service in June 2008 from SDIA to London's Gatwick Airport. Zoom will offer twice-weekly service between San Diego and London on Mondays and Fridays, using 266-seat Boeing 767-300 wide-body aircraft. Zoom has operated full-service, low-cost flights from the UK to Canada for the last three years and was recently granted permission to operate from London Gatwick as an official UK carrier to the United States. Zoom flights between San Diego and London can be booked online at www.flyzoom.com or by telephone at 1-866-359-9666. |
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Virgin America lands in San Diego |
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Hey San Diego! California's only hometown airline is putting the  moves on "America's Finest City." Fly nonstop between San Francisco and San Diego beginning February 12. From San Francisco, go see other fine cities and connect to New York (JFK), Washington, DC (Dulles) and Seattle*. So go ahead, indulge yourself with RED™, Virgin America's state-of-the-art entertainment system, outlets at every seat, food when you want it and a relaxing and entertaining flight. Grab a seat at www.virginamerica.com. *Seattle service begins March 8th, 2008. |
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| Looking Ahead
Envisioning the region's air transportation future |
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In the months ahead, the Airport Authority will be engaging stakeholders throughout the region in a visioning process to address long-term air transportation solutions for the region, including an ultimate build-out of Lindbergh Field.
In the meantime, the public is getting a good look at what immediate-term improvements at San Diego International Airport may look like, thanks to animations and renderings recently made available at the Airport Authority's Web site dedicated to optimizing Lindbergh Field: www.sanplan.com. The animations take you to the airside of SDIA to show the proposed build-out of Terminal 2 West, with ten new aircraft gates and more room for aircraft to park overnight and maneuver. Then you're in a virtual driver's seat as you cruise along a proposed dual-level roadway (upper level for those arriving to the airport, lower level for those leaving) in front of Terminal 2, with a proposed parking structure enhanced with "Smart Curb" technology, which allows you to check luggage and get a boarding pass even before entering the terminal building.
The proposed improvements -- like the dual-level roadway with separate arrival and departure levels in front of Terminal 2 West, shown here -- are designed to address immediate passenger needs at SDIA through the year 2015. An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the improvements finished a four-month public review on February 4. The Airport Authority Board is expected to make a decision on certifying the EIR by Spring 2008, which is required before construction of the improvements can begin. |
| SDIA records busiest year ever |
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The numbers are in, and San Diego International Airport experienced its busiest year ever in 2007, reaching all-time highs in the number of passengers and flights served. In fact, 2007 was the first year in which annual passengers surpassed 18 million --18,326,761 to be exact. That's a 4.8% increase over 2006. Aviation forecasts have projected passenger growth rates of between 2.2% and 2.8% a year for SDIA. However, for three of the four last years, the airport's passenger totals have far exceeded the projected growth rates. Also in 2007, SDIA handled 227,329 flights, a 2.9% increase over 2006. |
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SDIA is joining airports around the country to underscore the importance of responsible environmental stewardship.
As a founding member of the San Diego Regional Sustainability Partnership, the Airport Authority joined with the City of San Diego's Environmental Services Department on January 29 to present Coming Clean, Going Green, a waste reduction and recycling workshop to help local companies adhere to important new requirements in the city's recycling ordinance. Starting February 11, apartment and condominium complexes with more than 100 units -- and all commercial buildings over 20,000 square feet -- are required to have recycling programs. Held at the Environmental Services Department's "Green Building" in Kearny Mesa, the event attracted over 100 local businesses. As Airport Authority Environmental Director Paul Manasjan emceed the event, workshop attendees heard from several presenters, including Amiel Porta, Terminal Operations Coordinator for SDIA, who spoke about the airport's award-winning recycling program.
Taking the green theme even further, Airports Council International (ACI) -- the organization representing the world's major airports -- recently made available a document called Going Green: Minimizing Aviation's Environmental Footprint at Airports. It includes numerous case studies of green initiatives taking place at airports throughout North America. |
| "This won't hurt a bit..."
SDIA offers free flu shots |
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Last month, San Diego International Airport became the only airport in the country known to have partnered with a nonprofit organization to offer flu shots free of charge to travelers, employees and airport visitors. The Airport Authority partnered with the Community Health Improvement Partners (CHIP) to offer free flu and pneumonia shots at SDIA on January 8, 2008.  Here, Airport Authority employee Tim Joniec is administered a shot by Denise Lozares, director of Passport Health, which is part of the CHIP coalition of 28 San Diego hospitals, health plans, community clinics, physicians, universities, community-based organizations and the County of San Diego. Some 605 people (about 50 an hour) took advantage of the free flu shots, and the Airport Authority is considering offering them again next year.
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| Calendar |
For Airport Authority meeting dates, agendas and minutes, click here.
Thursday, Feb. 7, 9:00 a.m.
Airport Land Use Commission & Airport Authority Board Meeting
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
West Tower - Fairbanks Ballroom
1590 Harbor Island Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
Friday, Feb. 8, 9:00 a.m.
Joint Airport Authority/SANDAG Board Meeting
SANDAG offices
7th floor
401 B Street, Suite 800, San Diego, CA 92101
Friday, Feb. 8, 7:00 - 9:15 p.m.
Terminal Jazz performance: Ritmo Caribe presents Caribbean, salsa, merengue & Cuban music; Terminal 2 West baggage claim area, SDIA
Friday, Feb. 22, 4:30 - 6:45 p.m.
Solo Artists Series: Accordionist Louis Fanucchi
Terminal 1 baggage claim area, SDIA
Friday, Feb. 29, 5:30 p.m.
Taylor Guitar Exhibit Special Event
Commuter Terminal Lobby, SDIA |
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Airport Impact Facts Tangible truths about how SDIA contributes to your quality of life |
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$5.5 million
Listen up, San Diego visitor industry, could you use $5.5 million? That's the amount of visitor spending generated by just one nonstop route to a new international desitnation from San Diego International Airport. And guess what? As you can read above, Zoom Airlines is bringing just such a new route to SDIA in June 2008! | |
| Catch the 992! |
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Heading to or from the airport? Leave the driving to the MTS - as in the Metropolitan Transit System's Route 992 Airport Connection bus service. The 992 connects the airport (all terminals) to downtown, with convenient stops at Santa Fe Depot and points in between. With service every 12 minutes during the week and every 15 minutes on weekends, the 992 features bright red-and-white buses sporting the new "Airport Connection" look pictured here. With luggage racks, convenient lower steps and clean natural gas propulsion, the 992 is the easiest and cleanest way to take public transportation to and from the airport. Learn more about the 992 here.
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Free Wi-Fi thank-yous |
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The free Wi-Fi service at SDIA is proving to be a big hit with passengers and other users of the airport. Here's what a couple have had to say about it:
"I travel weekly to San Diego and just wanted to say thank you for the free access. That gift makes me feel welcomed, and that you care that I am here. Thanks ... sure makes life easier."
-- Larry, from Aptos, CA
"This is GREAT!!! I LOVE that you have free Wi-Fi at the airport! This shows that San Diego is a world-class city. Great job."
-- Barnet |
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| Your Airport Authority |
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The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority was established by state law in 2003 to operate SDIA and address the region's long-term air transportation needs. SDIA - funded through user fees and not local taxes - served some 18.3 million passengers in 2007. For more information, visit www.san.org. | |
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