American Airlines Grounding Flights at Santa Maria Airport

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - American Airlines will end daily service from Santa Maria Airport (SMX) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) on May 7, 2026.

The announcement comes less than five months after the airline started daily service between the two airports on Oct. 15, 2025.

American Airlines said in a statement, "Service to Santa Maria, California (SMX) operated under the American Eagle banner in partnership with SkyWest Airlines. Unfortunately, flights to SMX did not meet performance expectations and SkyWest informed American it will discontinue service as of May 7."

The company added it will "proactively reach out to impacted customers with alternate travel arrangements or a refund in line with American’s customer-friendly policies."

For SMX and the City of Santa Maria, the decision is sure to be a significant disappointment.

When the new flight to PHX began last October, it marked the return of daily service at SMX for the first time since 2017.

Santa Maria Valley Chamber Vice President of Economic Development & Government Affairs Suzanne Singh, who has long helped in the efforts to bring air service to Santa Maria, said in a statement: "It’s unfortunate that the Airlines didn’t give Santa Marians a chance."

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