Santa Maria Airport adding daily flight to this desert destination. Here’s when
After years of planning, daily commercial flights are finally coming back to the Santa Maria Airport, and local officials are urging residents to take advantage of the opportunity.
American Airlines is set to launch nonstop service to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Oct. 15, restoring direct access to a major hub for the first time in years.
The route, which the airline announced last week, will mark the return of hub service at the Santa Maria Airport, connecting Santa Barbara County travelers to American’s Phoenix hub and more than 100 destinations.
Local officials applauded the news Monday, calling it the result of years of planning and outreach to expand regional air access.
Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino praised the Santa Maria Public Airport District Board for its persistence in securing new air service. She noted that prior efforts had fallen through, including a planned United Airlines launch in 2020 that was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It takes a lot of work to get something like this done behind the scenes,” Patino said. “This doesn’t just mean flights to Phoenix. This means Phoenix to Santa Maria and our great valley, where they can enjoy the coast and our beaches, our wine country and our balmy breezes.”
Several speakers at the Monday news conference emphasized that community support will be key to making the service successful.
Suzanne Singh, vice president of economic development and government affairs for the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, said the new service reflects years of planning and determination, and she urged local residents to support it.
“I believe bringing service back to the airport is what our community has asked for,” Singh said, “and it’s finally happened.”
Singh said the airline’s arrival will be a milestone for the community, but one that still depends on public participation to succeed.
“While this is an exciting announcement, the excitement will be seen when the community does step up and take advantage of this service,” Singh said. “This won’t be successful if our community doesn’t step up.”
That call to action was echoed by others who helped bring the airline to Santa Maria.
Jim Bray, the community representative on the airport’s airline recruitment team, said he spent five years working with airport staff and business leaders, including SpaceX and Space Force, to compile travel data and advocate for new service.
Bray, who is also involved in the Planes of Fame Museum and the Central Coast AirFest, emphasized the need for continued community engagement.
“The airport has done its job. It has brought a legacy airline with global connections to Santa Maria. Now it is up to us, the community, to support this effort and this service,” Bray said.
“When you’re thinking about a family vacation, or bringing grandma or grandpa out for a visit, please think SMX first.”
This story was originally published July 1, 2025 at 10:45 AM with the headline "Santa Maria Airport adding daily flight to this desert destination. Here’s when."