Page 1 of 1
SMO battling for it's life?
Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 9:25 am
by 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?
Re: SMO battling for it's life?
Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 9:30 am
by Ryan B
Is it really anything new though? Public has wanted that airport to close for decades I thought.
Re: SMO battling for it's life?
Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 10:47 am
by Anthony Santanastaso
Ryan B wrote: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.
Re: SMO battling for it's life?
Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:54 am
by 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.
Re: SMO battling for it's life?
Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 3:55 pm
by matt
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.
Re: SMO battling for it's life?
Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 4:11 pm
by 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