Aiport News & Press Releases

Visitors to the Santa Maria Public Airport will be noticing a little more “island style” starting today after Allegiant Air announces it will begin flights to Hawaii on Nov. 17. Santa Maria is one of four western cities Allegiant serves that will be getting flights to Honolulu. The others are Stockton, Eugene, Ore. and Bellingham, …

A request for $6.1 million in state funds to build an interchange at Highway 101 to connect with the future Union Valley Parkway now has an OK from the California Transportation Commission.  The decision was announced Monday by Santa Barbara County 4th District Supervisor Joni Gray.  “Caltrans can now advertise for construction bids,” Gray said …

When incoming aircraft approach the main runway at Santa Maria Public Airport beginning next week, pilots will see fresh black asphalt and an orange carpet of California golden poppies.  The state flower planting is part of the effort to restore the land surrounding the 1,700-foot runway extension, which will be open for use May 3. …

Sunni Gibbons, a member of the Santa Maria Valley chapter of the Ninety-Nines, stands by her Piper Cherokee 235 plane at the Santa Maria Public Airport. Gibbons will be inducted into the Ninety-Nines Forest of Friendship, a living memorial in Atchison, Kan., in June. Sunni Gibbons has been many things throughout her 71 years — …

The Santa Maria Public Airport’s runway extension project is being extended. The project had been scheduled for completion by April 5, but because of delays the full 8,000-foot runway won’t be open to air traffic until May 3, and it won’t be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration until May 31, according to General Manager …

The Vapor Trail Vettes of the Santa Maria area are hosting a low speed autocross on Saturday, April 7 at the Santa Maria Airport on Terminal Drive.  All makes and models of cars are welcome. Drivers must be at least 18 years old.  A registration form can be downloaded from the Vapor Trail Vettes website …

Santa Maria Public Airport District Director Hugh Rafferty has been appointed to two California Special Districts Association committees. Rafferty will serve on the Education Committee and the Elections and Bylaws Committee for 2012. The California Special Districts Association provides legislative advocacy, education and member services for the approximately 900 special districts in California. Rafferty also currently serves as …

Thunder Over the Valley will be a little louder this year, thanks to the Santa Maria Public Airport Board of Directors. The board voted to contribute an extra $12,000 to the annual air show this year to bring in more aerobatics attractions, which have yet to be booked. That money is in addition to its …

For many people, Amelia Earhart is the take-off and landing point for their knowledge about the contribution of women to aviation. The Ninety-Nines, an international organization of licensed women pilots, has worked for 82 years to stretch those horizons, and its Santa Maria Valley chapter is developing a park to honor women in aviation history. …