Editorial Points Out Advantages, Importance Of The Facility

The Los Angeles Times Editorial Board has published an editorial supporting the continuing operation of Santa Monica Airport as an airport.

The Editorial Board points out that there are many "compelling reasons" to keep the airport open. They say that KSMO is a "crucial air-transportation artery" in southern California, and that closing KSMO would push business jet traffic to an already-congested Los Angeles International airport (KLAX), where it would compete with commercial traffic.

They also note that the airport supports more than just recreational pilots. Business travelers, organ transplant transportation flights, animal rescue, Angel Flight West, and many others regularly use KSMO.

The board says that KSMO is not a "frivolous playground for the '1 percenters'" as it is often portrayed by its opponents. Rather, "it is a vital hub in an already crowded air transportation system." They point to a safety record that is exemplary, with no fatal accident, either to people in aircraft or on the ground, in the past three decades. And, they say that the changing fuel landscape will soon ease environmental concerns expressed by some airport opponents.

In closing, the Editorial Board says that while the issue works its way through the courts, the city of Santa Monica should continue to fulfill its legal obligations to run the airport well, and not actively and obviously work to discourage people from using it.

(Images from file)

FMI: Full Op-Ed