Memorial Day weekend will herald the beginning of the summer travel season at the Santa Barbara Airport.

Minneapolis-based Sun Country Airlines resumed its seasonal direct service from Minneapolis to Santa Barbara on May 22. Because of the route’s popularity in 2018, the airline is doubling the number of weekly direct flights to four mid-day arrivals and departures through August, it announced in a May 21 news release.

Passenger traffic has grown nearly 20 percent in the first quarter of 2019, the airport reported. Delta Air Lines will join the roster of airlines on Aug. 13 with daily service to Salt Lake City. The number of annual passengers in 2019 is expected to return to pre-recession levels, the release stated.

Due to the increase in travel, the airport re-opened its long-term parking on Hollister Avenue and Lopez Road on May 22 to mitigate overflowing parking near the terminal during peak travel times. Shuttles will offer service to and from the lot and terminal, departing every 15 minutes and lasting four minutes. Rates are $10 per day, or $3 less than in-terminal parking.

The city of Santa Barbara is also repaving roadways to and from the airport, the release stated. That project will extend from Fairview Avenue along Fowler Road in front of the airport and just beyond on Moffett Place toward Highway 217. It’s slated for completion by June 13, and travelers should anticipate traffic delays.

On May 24, wreaths will be placed at both of the airport’s World War II memorials in remembrance of the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

• Contact Annabelle Blair at hdubroff@pacbiztimes.com.