San Francisco Airport adds eight airlines to new lease and use agreements

In a recent government meeting held on July 4, 2025, San Francisco County officials discussed significant amendments to contracts and lease agreements that are poised to impact the local economy and airport operations. The meeting, chaired by Chair Chan, focused on two key resolutions regarding contract amendments and the addition of new airlines to the airport's lease agreements.

The first two items on the agenda involved amendments to contracts with Alameda Electrical Distributors and Buckle Smith, both related to electrical fixtures and equipment. The proposed increase for the Alameda contract is $600,000, with approximately 75% of the funding sourced from airport expenditures. Similarly, the Buckle Smith contract is set to increase by $2 million, with 64% of the costs covered by the Public Utilities Commission. Both amendments were deemed reasonable by the committee, which recommended their approval to the full board.

Following these discussions, the committee addressed items five and six, which proposed the addition of eight new airlines to the airport's lease and use agreements. The airlines include Aer Lingus, Flare Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, Qatar Airways, TAP, and Starlux Airlines. This expansion is expected to generate approximately $361 million in revenue from terminal rentals and landing fees over the remaining term of the lease, which runs through June 2033. The airport's chief external affairs officer, Kathy Wagner, emphasized that these agreements provide a financial framework for the airport, including a 15% annual service payment to the city based on non-aeronautical revenues.

The committee's discussions highlighted the ongoing efforts to enhance airport operations and infrastructure while ensuring financial sustainability. With the approval of these resolutions, San Francisco County is poised to strengthen its economic position and improve service offerings at its airport, reflecting a proactive approach to meeting the demands of an evolving aviation landscape. The committee's recommendations will now move to the full board for further consideration.