News & Facts

Grand Opening Events Scheduled This Month

Grand Opening Events: 
Events for the new terminal will take place this month prior to the building opening for business so visitors are able to access all the public areas of the terminal without the need for a boarding pass.  There are two public grand opening events to mark this historic milestone:


“The Art of Travel” Gala - Friday, June 17th 6 – 10 p.m:  This event is a fundraiser for the new Airline Terminal Public Art Program and is funded solely by ticket sales and sponsorships*.  Gala tickets are $125 per person with availability at FlySBA.com or via a check to the City of Santa Barbara, mail to Airport Department, 601 Firestone Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93117.   Gala highlights include the official ‘unveiling’ of the new public art works with the artists in attendance, a champagne red carpet welcome, live jazz music, international cuisine and wine tastings, photo portraits with Clay Lacy's restored 1945 DC3 aircraft, and silent auction travel packages.  All ticket holders have a chance to win a $500 Frontier Airlines’ travel voucher.  Parking will be located at the Fairview Corporate Center, 420 S. Fairview Ave with Santa Barbara Trolley transportation to and from the new terminal to avoid impacting passenger operations in the terminal vicinity. [see end note for media event]

Open House - Sunday, June 19th 11 a.m. – 3 p.m:  This is a free event for self-guided tours with parking reservations available by visiting FlySBA.com.  Parking will be located at the Fairview Corporate Center, 420 S. Fairview Ave with complimentary shuttle transportation to and from the new terminal to avoid impacting passenger operations in the terminal vicinity. A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will take place at noon with remarks by Santa Barbara Mayor Schneider, Congresswoman Lois Capps, Supervisor Doreen Farr, Goleta Mayor Margaret Connell, and Ginny Brush, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission.  Karen Ramsdell, Airport Director; Joe Grogan, HNTB Project Manager; Fred Sweeney, PMSM Architects, and Jay Jamison, Central Coast Commissioner for the State of California Travel & Tourism Commission will also make brief comments.

All of the grand opening events will have special exhibits at various locations around the terminal to provide pertinent information about building sustainability, airport history, the new public art program, and accessibility features.  Floor plan brochure cards indicating terminal functions and exhibit locations will be available.  In addition, TSA officers are scheduled to visit with citizens and explain security screening in a relaxed atmosphere not associated with ‘catching a plane.’ In keeping with City of Santa Barbara sustainability goals, all of these events are zero-waste.

The Art of Travel Gala News Media Pre-Event:
Friday, June 17th, 5 - 6 p.m:  All news reporters and photographers, please join us for a media event to tour the new Airline Terminal.  Interview and photo opportunities will be provided with dignitaries and the DC3 aircraft, etc.  5 – 5:30 p.m. tour & 5:30 – 6 p.m. interviews & photo opps.

Full Press Release

*The Art of Travel Gala Sponsors:
HNTB, Atlantic Aviation, Clay Lacy Aviation, PMSM Architects, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Signature Flight Support, Allied Waste, JBT Aerotech, MarBorg Industries, Yardi Systems,  Alaska Airlines, American Eagle, Ampco Parking, Citrix Online, Coastal Aircraft Maintenance, Horsley Company, Lash Construction, Leigh Fisher Management Consultants, Morgan Stanely, Red Mountain Resort, Southern California Edison, United Express, Crowne Plaza Seattle, Four Seasons Resort – the Biltmore, Frontier Airlines, National Air Traffic Controllers Association,Herban Essentials, View Studio, Above All Aviation, Accurate Aviation, CASA Magazine, Easy Lift Transportation, Float Luxury Spa, Hertz Rent-A-Car, Santa Barbara Sailing Center, Santa Barbara Zoo, Avis Rental Cars, Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards, Beckmen Vineyards,  Bridlewood Estate Winery, Daniel Gehrs Wines, Demetria Estate Wines, Fess Parker Winery, Jaffurs Wine Cellars, Kalyra & M Brown Winery, Kunin Wines, Lafond Winery, Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards, Melville Vineyards & Winery, Qupe Winery, Santa Barbara Winery, Silver Winery, Zaca Mesa Winery, Firestone Walker Brewing and Island Brewing Company.