Claims The City Of Santa Monica Is Illegally Trying To Regulate Air Commerce

The CEO of JetSuiteX, which will begin operating low-cost scheduled service out of Santa Monica Airport (KSMO) next month, says the city is "illegally attempting to regulate air commerce."

Company CEO Alex Wilcox told the Santa Monica Lookout that Airport Director Stelios Makrides is refusing to process an application for a commercial operating permit at the airport for a hangar lease.

Wilcox said his company can start its operation without such a permit, which the city disputes. Makrides said in a letter to Wilcox that the application could not be processed because it is "incomplete" because it lacks an information including an environmental analysis.

The city says it has attempted to contact Wilcox about the matter. Wilcox is taking his case directly to the FAA. He says he is certain the agency will rule against the airport in what he describes as a "backdoor attempt" to shut down air service at KSMO.

JetSuiteX has been offering higher-priced charter service from the airport for several years, according to the report.

(Image from file)

FMI: https://x.jetsuite.com