Citizens group files 2nd suit to stop commercial flights at Carlsbad airport

Citizens for a Friendly Airport has filed a Superior Court lawsuit against San Diego County and United Airlines in an effort to prevent the United flights set to start March 30 at McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad.

The case has been assigned to Judge Mark T. Cumba for a management conference at 10:30 a.m. June 26. Cumba stipulated Tuesday that the parties involved should consider arbitration or mediation to settle the issue.

Last year the airport watchdog group, also known as C4FA, filed a similar suit asking to halt the American Airlines’ commercial flights that began in February.

In November the court approved a request by the city of Carlsbad to join the group in the American suit. A management conference for that case is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. April 17 before Judge Gregory W. Pollack.

In both cases C4FA alleges the approvals violate the California Environmental Quality Act. Additional commercial flights reduce air quality, increase airplane noise, erode residents’ quality of life and allow the airport to grow, according to the claims.

Cory Briggs, an attorney representing the local airport watchdog group, declined to comment on the lawsuits.

American, United and Delta airlines all flew regular flights out of Carlsbad in the past.

For almost a year now American has had daily flights between Carlsbad and Phoenix using 76-seat Embraer 175 jets.

The county Board of Supervisors approved an airport lease in December...