The Santa Maria Public Airport and United Airlines on Friday announced brand new daily, non-stop service to three airports beginning this summer.
Beginning June 4, flight service will be offered from Santa Maria to Denver International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco International Airport. Tickets will be available for purchase on united.com beginning today, according to a news release.
The service provides travelers with brand new options to get to the Central Coast and connects Santa Maria to the world with hundreds of domestic and international destinations from the airline’s hubs in Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
“United’s California network continues to grow and today we are thrilled to kick off 2020 with Santa Maria as our 20th airport served in California,” Janet Lamkin, United’s President of California said in a statement.
The new service is the result of collaborative efforts from the Santa Maria Public Airport District, city of Santa Maria, Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, Santa Maria Economic Development Commission and the Santa Maria Airline Recruitment Team.
Located at 3217 Terminal Drive, the airport is less than 15 miles from Vandenberg Air Force Base and is the closest commercial service airport to the base. The location supports the growing mission of both military and commercial space operations, the travel needs of service members and their families, and private launch and support contractors.
Mayor Alice Patino said the local airport has been overlooked, and securing the new services “fills that void.”
“The lack of local service forced Santa Marians to go elsewhere, losing time and money,” Ms. Patino said in a statement. “For Santa Maria and the region, this is a welcome addition and an economic stimulus.”
Col. Anthony Mastalir, 30th Space Wing commander, said the base welcomes the new service, which will “increase flexibility for all the men and women at Vandenberg AFB.”
For more information about the flight service options or to book a flight, visit www.united.com.
email: mwhite@newspress.com
