In the News | Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Airport Authority Offers Public “Terminals to Tarmac” Tours

Tours offer an inside look at San Diego International Airport and the opportunities to optimize the airport

SAN DIEGO – November 5, 2007 – Did you ever wonder why endangered Least Tern seabirds would make their nests on an airfield?  Or the site of the historic terminal where the famous Spirit of St. Louis airplane was built?  Do you know what “spooky eyes” or a “blast fence” are for?  Have you always wanted a ringside view of aircraft arriving and departing the runway?   Now is your chance to learn fun facts about San Diego International Airport (SDIA).  The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority is offering public tours of SDIA – from the terminals to the tarmac.  

The Airport Authority’s terminal and airfield bus tour offers an inside look at the airport and the airfield. Come and see first-hand how San Diego International Airport’s proposed airport improvements are planned for the years to come.  The bus tour starts at the commuter terminal and continues on for a walking tour through Terminals 1 and 2, covering public art and animal rest areas.  Then, participants board a bus for a driving tour of the entire runway. The tour guide will point out the elaborate baggage system, security, control tower, cargo facilities, Least Terns habitat and other airfield highlights. 

The airport tours also provide an opportunity to learn more about the Phase 1 Airport Master Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for near-term airport improvements.  These include a ten-gate build-out of Terminal 2, a dual-level roadway in front of Terminal 2 and various parking, roadway and airfield improvements.

“We are committed to involving the community in future planning efforts at the airport, from airport tours to community meetings and more,” said Thella Bowens, President/CEO.  “We invite you to take a look behind the scenes of an operation that handles 50,000 arriving and departing passengers on 600 flights a day.”

Upcoming tour dates include November 8 and 9, and December 13 and December 14, and run from 10 a.m. to noon.  To make a tour reservation online, visit www.sanplan.com and click “Get Involved,” or call 619-400-2880.

The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority was established by state law in 2003 to operate San Diego International Airport and to address the region’s long-term air transportation needs. The Airport Authority is governed by a nine-member appointed Board representing all areas of the County. San Diego International Airport — funded through user fees and not local taxes — served some 17.5 million passengers in 2006.

# # #