The Santa Barbara Airport Commission voted unanimously on Feb. 13 to recommend that the Santa Barbara City Council approve an application to use $5,100,000 in collected passenger facility charge (PFC) funds for capital reimbursements and equipment.

Airport business manager Jonathan Abad told commissioners the application would allocate $3,600,000 to cover the airport’s local share of previously funded Airport Improvement Program (AIP) projects and $1,500,000 to purchase a new aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) truck. Abad said the PFC is a $4.50 per departing passenger fee collected by airlines and remitted to airports and that the airport currently collects about $2,500,000 in PFC revenue annually.

Why it matters: Abad said approving the application would free up local and federal funds, reduce reliance on new debt for capital work and allow the airport to address equipment needs tied to a higher ARFF classification driven by passenger levels.

Abad said the airport has accumulated about $6,800,000 in PFC funds because of refinancing savings on terminal debt and sustained passenger volumes. He described the next steps in the approval process: an airline consultation meeting set for March 19, a 30‑day airline certification window (to April 19), a subsequent application submission to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and an FAA review period of roughly 30 days. If approved, staff said the FAA’s approval notice and ability to draw on the funds could follow in late May.

Commissioners asked procedural questions about approvals beyond the commission and city, and Abad confirmed airline certification and FAA review are required before funds may be spent. A commissioner moved to approve the application, another seconded, and the motion passed with all commissioners voting in favor.

The commission recorded no roll‑call dissent. Commissioners recorded as voting yes were: Commissioner Miller; Commissioner Houghton; Commissioner Bowen; Commissioner Gregg; Commissioner Grabman; Vice Chair Maya; and Chair Glazer. Staff said the action authorizes the airport to pursue the PFC reimbursement application; the City Council must still consider and act on the request before funds may be drawn.