Hopeful Of Attracting Return Of Airline Service

Since the 1970’s, eight airlines have come and gone from the Palmdale Regional Airport. Its most recent carrier was United Airlines, which cancelled its four daily flights last December due to low ridership. The final blow to the airport came in February when management entity Los Angeles World Airports pulled out and shut it down.

Unhappy with the turn of events, last week the Palmdale City Council decided to take matters – and the airport – into its own hands, creating an aviation department and commission to manage and develop the airport.

"This is a necessary step for us to take," Palmdale Mayor James Ledford said. "We are now going to make the decisions that affect our airport rather than going to an entity that is 60 miles away."

Next, Ledford said the city plans to obtain Federal Aviation Administration commercial re-certification of Palmdale Regional Airport and to reestablish air carrier passenger service. "Getting an airline is inevitable," Ledford said. "We've just got to find the right carriers and the right destinations at the right price. We are serious about controlling our own destiny."

As ANN reported, most recently city officials were looking at a plan to utilize 4,000 acres of airport land for construction of a massive solar energy complex, but the proposition was defeated in a public vote held on March 3.

FMI: www.cityofpalmdale.org, www.lawa.org/welcomePMD.aspx