EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 62, NO. 08
January 23, 2025
What Happened to San Bernardino Airport’s Las Vegas and Phoenix Flights?
IECN.com
Highland’s Greenspot Village Opens New Chipotle, Starbucks, and Einstein Bros. Bagels Pg. 4
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
Mike Burrows, CEO of San Bernardino International Airport, leads an informational workshop at Studio D in downtown San Bernardino on Jan. 14, 2025, discussing the airport’s growth and future plans.
By Manny Sandoval
F
lights to Las Vegas and Phoenix, once hailed as convenient travel options for Inland Empire residents, have been missing from San Bernardino International Airport’s (SBD) schedule for most of 2024, leaving the community wondering why.
Planned Parenthood Activates SB County to Resist Trump Administration’s Policies Against Reproductive Rights
During the January Small Business Watch Meeting hosted by the San Bernardino Police Department, SBD CEO Mike Burrows explained the disappear-
ance of these popular routes. Operated by Breeze Airways, the flights were introduced as seasonal and initially thrived, with departures to Las Vegas and Phoenix offered on Thursdays and Sundays. However, Burrows revealed that strategic competition from other budget airlines led to their removal. “Competing carriers tracked Breeze Airways’ flight schedules and mirrored them, offering flights at the same exact times and on the same days,” said Burrows. “This tactic is common and sig-
A
fter exactly one year in business, Aroma De Café, a beloved community coffee shop in downtown Colton, closed its doors for the final time on Jan. 18, 2025. Known for its inviting atmosphere, high-quality offerings, and a 4.6-star rating on Yelp and Google, the shop quickly became a local favorite following its January 2024 opening. However, escalating costs and “insufficient support” from city officials ultimately led to its closure.
Hundreds Celebrate
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Pg. 8
“It started getting expensive,” said owner Jesus “Chuy” Villarruel, a Colton native. “All my products went up from the day I opened to the day I closed, and it all doubled in price. I couldn’t keep up with local corporations.”
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SBD Airport cont. on next pg.
By Manny Sandoval
Inland Empire Community Unity and Justice at San Newspapers
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Breeze Airways began passenger service at SBD in August 2022 with three to four weekly flights to San Francisco, later adding Las Vegas in February 2023 and Phoenix in February 2024. The routes quickly became popular with residents seeking alternatives to larger airports and $5 daily parking.
Colton Business Shut Down: Rising Costs and Lack of Local Government Support Force Aroma De Café to Close
Pg. 5
Editorial: iecn1@mac.com
nificantly diminished demand for flights out of SBD.”
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL (Left to right) Aroma De Cafe Owner Jesus Villarruel (Chuy) and his sister Roxana Pachuca during happier times when the shop was open in May 2024.
For the first six months, Aroma De Café was profitable, generating over $1,000 per month in surplus revenue.
However, rising costs and external challenges soon eroded its financial stability. “The espresso coffee beans went from $10 to $15 for a 2pound bag. My turkey and ham for sandwiches doubled, from $7 to $14,” Villarruel explained. Even after raising menu prices by 25 cents six months ago, the adjustments couldn’t offset the mounting expenses. Compounding the issue, Villarruel was locked into a $1,300 monthly, two-year lease for the 640-square-foot space, adding significant pressure to maintain consistent revenue. Business declined further during the September 2024 wildfires, when local schools closed, leaving the café with only two or three customers for the entire week. By the end of the year, Villarruel found himself using $500 to $1,000 of his personal funds each month to keep the café afloat. Aroma De Cafe cont. next pg.