Major upgrades are coming to the Santa Barbara Airport, backed by more than $10.6 million in new federal funding.
The airport has received $9.18 million in federal construction funding for the rehabilitation and maintenance of Taxiways A, B and C. The grant covers about 90.66% of eligible project costs, with construction expected in 2026 and 2027.
Another $875,282 will fund the design of the Taxiways A, B and C Rehabilitation Project and the Runway 7-25 Redesignation Project. Design is expected to take about 20 months.
An additional $554,205 will pay for construction of pavement repairs at Hangars 1 and 4 and pavement surrounding Building 257. That work is anticipated to begin in spring or summer 2027.
The funding comes through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program entitlement funds. The money is allocated through a formula-based process, primarily based on passenger activity, rather than through a competitive discretionary grant program.
For travelers, the airport’s relatively small size remains one of its biggest advantages.
“Stress-free. It’s nice that it’s small. It’s easy to navigate. I think that’s the most stressful part about airports for me,” traveler Justin Chow said.
Passenger traffic at Santa Barbara Airport has also been increasing. About 1.48 million passengers traveled through the airport last year, an increase of more than 4% from the previous year.
Katie Pugh, who traveled from Atlanta, said she was impressed with the airport during her visit.
“I came from Atlanta. I’ve been to Santa Barbara before, but we didn’t fly here, and it’s really cute, and they gave us these flowers,” Pugh said.
But some community members say the airport still has areas that need attention.
“The fact that both of your escalators are not working is not a good sign. Umm, the fact that we are waiting for our daughter and can’t get a refreshment. We can’t get that because you have to be flying and go through TSA,” community member Helen Mills said.
Flooding also remains a concern after the airfield closed three times during storms in late December and early January.
The new federal funding is not specifically dedicated to airport-wide flood control. However, drainage and stormwater improvements required as part of the individual airfield projects will be incorporated into the work.
