STOCKTON, Calif. — Airplane wheels were in the air above south Stockton, which meant it was off to Arizona for a group of passengers at the Stockton Metropolitan Airport Friday morning.
While there were no delays for the 11 a.m. flight, a study analyzing U.S. Department of Transportation data on cancelations and diversions found Stockton's Airport to be the least reliable in the nation.
"We don't understand how the study was compiled. They seem to be cherry-picking some numbers," said Airport Director Richard Sokol. "They were trying to generate clicks to their air charter service business... we think we have a very reliable service here that will only get better."
Sokol disagrees with the results of the study released this week by private jet charter company Jettly. Many passengers Friday morning felt the same way.
"I don't believe that. I believe when you get to Phoenix, they're not reliable. They cancel on you quite a bit but I have never had it here," said a passenger who stopped by the airport's ticket counter to purchase tickets for a future flight. "I'm happy going out of the Stockton Airport and I'm scared to fly, but it's okay with me now."
Roseville resident Gina also had no problems Friday when she decided to bypass Sacramento International Airport and use Stockton's airport instead to get to family in Phoenix, one of two destinations out of Stockton through Allegiant Airlines.
"I was amazed that it's so quiet in here. There are no big lines, it feels very clean and safe," said Gina. "So far (family members) have always had positive experiences."
Empty security lines and no wait at the ticket counter greeted Gina as she arrived hours before her flight. According to Sokol, the security process for most travelers takes 10 minutes or less.
"Our slogan that we use in some of our commercials and marketing, is 'less driving, less waiting, more vacation,'" said Sokol. "We think that for the folks that live around here, we're a very convenient option for them. You don't have to wait in long lines as you do in busier airports."
The airport is undergoing millions of dollars in improvements funded by the FAA, with the goal of getting more people to their vacation spots and expanding in the future.
"We're improving taxiways, pavements, we're changing some orientation of some of the taxiways on the airfield to make things simpler for pilots that use our airport," said Sokol. "We're working on some very bold and aggressive plans that involve improvements to the passenger airline terminal environment as well as the general aviation environment."
Sokol adds the airport has been in discussion with other airlines about adding flights out of Stockton, possibly to be announced in the spring.
With repairs both underway and in the planning stage, airport officials hope the runways in Stockton will give passengers a dose of calmness amid the busy holiday travel season.
"A lot of people feel pressure when they go through security, but the pressure is not here. It's much more simple," said Sokol. "We're very optimistic about some changes, positive changes, that will happen here in the middle of next year."
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