SMO battling for it's life?

[Anthony Santanastaso]

Any locals know what is truly happening with SMO?

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-m ... z2qCZQkXDc

Sounds like the government wants to close or re-purpose the airport. Is that right?

[Ryan B]

Is it really anything new though? Public has wanted that airport to close for decades I thought.

[Anthony Santanastaso]

Is it really anything new though? Public has wanted that airport to close for decades I thought.

New to me, not being from the west coast.

[Kevin_atc]

This is an ongoing battle that has no end in sight. I think that eventually, it's possible that they could shut it down...but the aviation industry is going to do everything in its power to obviously avoid that. The effect that it would have in terms of increased traffic at LAX would be pretty substantial. Plus, for all of the small GA guys, they'd have to relocated to HHR or VNY which is very far away if you take drive time and traffic into account.

[matt]

Any locals know what is truly happening with SMO?

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-m ... z2qCZQkXDc

Sounds like the government wants to close or re-purpose the airport. Is that right?

The City has been after the airport since 1979 and almost shutting it down in 1981. The AOPA and other organizations have helped fight closures and aircraft bans.

The FAA published a decision under docket number 16-02-08, claiming that the field is surplus federal property and the airport is supposed to be operated in perpetuity. However, Santa Monica doesn't agree. So, they recently filed a lawsuit against the FAA. The City alleged the FAA had violated the City's Fifth and Tenth Amendments (City of Santa Monica v. FAA, No. CV13-08046 C.D. Cal.) by preventing them from doing what they want with the airport property.

I have read the lawsuit The City of Santa Monica filed. Unfortunately for the airport, they make an excellent case that the FAA has clearly violated the their Fifth and Tenth Amendments. But, it doesn't matter what I think. This is an argument best suited for court. It will be very interesting to see where this goes.

For the sake of aviation, I hope the field stays open.

[djrisc]

The last thing I need is more traffic on the 101/405 between KVNY and KSMO. (that's right along my daily commute and it's awful already.)

So here's to hoping that KSMO never gets shut down.

Brett