Given 30 Days To Vacate The Airport

The City of Santa Monica has declined to enter into long-term leases with Atlantic Aviation and American Flyers ... the two private FBOs at KSMO ... and has sent eviction notices to the companies giving them 30 days to vacate the airport.

Radio station KPCC reports that the notices were sent to the businesses Thursday. Nelson Hernandez, who is the Santa Monica City Manager's senior advisor on airport issues, told KPCC that federal law allows the city to replace the private companies with a city-run operation.

The move is seen to be a significant step in the city's plan to close the airport "as soon as possible" and convert the land to a public park. Some homes are already located within a few hundred feet of the runway at KSMO.

As we reported last week, Atlantic Aviation has filed a complaint with the FAA saying that the city is placing unlawful and unreasonable curbs on aviation activities at the airport.

The two companies have been operating under short-term leases since last summer. The order to vacate terminates the short-term leases.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.smgov.net