Aviation International News is reporting that the FAA has reacted to the city of Santa Monica’s plan to close Santa Monica Airport (SMO) in 2018. In a letter sent to mayor Tony Vazquez, FAA director of airport compliance and management analysis Kevin Willis reminded the mayor that under a recent Part 16 decision, “the city is […]
Santa Monica Airport
FAA rules SMO must stay open
Aviation International News is reporting that the FAA associate administrator for airports has affirmed an earlier director’s determination that requires the city of Santa Monica, Calif., to keep its airport (SMO) open until 2023. In a final decision and order, the associate administrator responded to the city’s appeal of the Dec. 4, 2015, director’s determination, which […]
Santa Monica Airport case sent back to district court
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has determined that a district court prematurely dismissed a lawsuit that was brought by the City of Santa Monica to determine whether the city is obligated to continue operating Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) in Southern California. The May 16 decision sends the case back to the federal district […]
GA advocates question leasing changes at SMO
GA advocates, including officials with the National Business Aviation Association, have responded to a “motion to dismiss” filed by Santa Monica city officials against a portion of a complaint filed with the FAA by Santa Monica Airport supporters, alleging numerous violations of the city’s federal obligations at the historic airfield. In the April 11 filing, Santa […]
GA advocates file more complaints against Santa Monica
The City of Santa Monica has diverted airport funds, charged excessive and unreasonable landing fees, and denied leases on airport property, according to a new Part 16 complaint filed by a group that includes the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), and airport businesses and tenants. “With this filing we […]
Call to pilots to block latest threat to SMO
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has asked its members in Southern California to contact U.S. Representatives Karen Bass (D-Calif.) and Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), in an effort to stave off the latest attempt to close Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO). Both members of Congress have endorsed a seven-point plan by local airport opponents to […]
Santa Monica takes first steps towards closing airport
The Santa Monica City Council has shortened ground leases for tenants at Santa Monica Municipal Airport (KSMO), limiting most businesses to month-to-month leases. Exceptions were FBO Atlantic Aviation, Adelman, a law firm, and the Museum of Flying, which received three-year leases to June 30, 2018, with the option of one-year extensions at the discretion of the city. The […]
Anti-airport group victorious in Santa Monica
On Nov. 4, a ballot initiative to give the Santa Monica City Council more control over operations at Santa Monica Municipal Airport (KSMO) in Southern California was approved by voters, signaling — for some — a death knell for the embattled airport. Measure LC allows the City Council to manage the airport as it sees […]
LA Times opines about Santa Monica Airport
We’ve been saying it for years. But it’s nice to hear the mainstream media pick up the argument. The Los Angeles Times editorial board said, with regard to Santa Monica Airport, “Open to private business and recreational aircraft, it relieves Los Angeles International Airport of some smaller plane traffic. Flight schools, airplane maintenance, charter jet […]