The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is reporting that California’s Santa Monica City Council unanimously voted to reduce the length of its municipal runway from nearly 5,000 feet to 3,500 feet, as permitted under a settlement agreement with the FAA that also allows the city to close the airport in 2028. According to AOPA, the effort will […]
Santa Monica Airport
Court refers SMO agreement to merits panel
The U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit has referred an agreement by the FAA and the city of Santa Monica, California, to close Santa Monica Municipal Airport to a merits panel for further review about the legality of the settlement agreement. This May 4, 2017, ruling defers the FAA’s motion for dismissal of the […]
Aeroplex takes over self-fueling at SMO
The City of Santa Monica, California, has selected Aeroplex Group Partners, a division of the Aeroplex/Aerolease Group, to provide interim management of Santa Monica Municipal Airport’s (SMO) self-serve fueling station starting April 16, 2017, following the scheduled departure of American Flyers, the tenant that has been maintaining the facility. “We recognize the urgent need to transition […]
Court motion challenges deal to close SMO
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) joined with five other aviation stakeholders to file a motion March 6, 2017, before the U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, requesting a stay against the FAA and an injunction against the city of Santa Monica, California, preventing any further actions to reduce the length of the runway […]
Court review of SMO settlement agreement requested
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has joined with five other groups and aviation businesses to petition the U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, asking the court to review the recent agreement between the FAA and the city of Santa Monica, California, over the future of Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO). […]
Battle over SMO may not be over
The editorial board of the Daily Breeze, the local news source for Los Angeles County’s South Bay region, questions whether the “contentious, decades-long battle over operations at the Santa Monica Airport” is actually over, even with the FAA caving to the city’s demands to close the airport in 2028. “Many questions remain concerning the airport, […]
Don’t cry for Santa Monica
As I was reading coverage of the announcement that Santa Monica’s airport is to be closed on Dec. 31, 2028, I couldn’t help but shake my head. Yes, I’m sad. But reading the FAA Administrator’s comments provides a blueprint for opportunity. When commenting on the agreement, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said, “This is a fair […]
FAA strikes deal to close SMO
In a move that surprised many, the FAA has reached a deal with the city of Santa Monica to close the Santa Monica Airport on Dec. 31, 2028. The deal resolves “longstanding litigation” over the future of the Southern California airport, according to FAA officials. Announced by the city during a press conference on a […]
FAA investigates SMO eviction notices
Aviation International News is reporting that the FAA has subpoenaed the city of Santa Monica and issued a notice of investigation into the city’s efforts to evict the two main fuel providers at Santa Monica Airport. “These actions may be causing, and appear intended to cause, impairment of the airport, including but not limited to, a […]