LA Board of Airport Commissioners Moves to Ban Charter Company

The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners on Monday decided the City of Los Angeles will take legal action to ban a jet operator accused of repeated noise violations at Van Nuys Airport (VNY).

The decision to file a lawsuit against Pacific Jet Inc., a jet charter company, came after a closed-door session with the City Attorney at the Board's regularly scheduled meeting held in Van Nuys. Over the past 18 months, Pacific Jet Inc. has incurred over seven violations of the Non-Addition Rule, a noise restriction upheld in U.S. District Court in August 2001 that limits the number of older, noisier Stage 2 jets that can use or be based at Van Nuys Airport (VNY).

Pacific Jet Inc. also has received multiple other noise citations that include violating the airport's partial nighttime curfew and conducting maintenance engine run-ups during prohibited hours.

"This legal action sends a clear message that noise restrictions in place at Van Nuys Airport will be strictly enforced," said Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn. "We will continue to make every effort to preserve and protect the quality of life for San Fernando Valley residents, while maintaining the economic vitality of the airport."

Special rules...

Operations at Van Nuys Airport are governed by a Noise Abatement and Curfew Ordinance established in 1981. The ordinance contains a partial curfew prohibiting certain jet departures between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. and other operational restrictions. Civil penalties for violation of the ordinance range from fines up to $3,500 and a three-year ban from the airport.

The Non-Addition Rule, an amendment to the original ordinance, limits the number of Stage 2 jets that can be based at VNY subject to certain exemptions. Further, the rule limits to 30 calendar days the time a non-based Stage 2 aircraft can use VNY except for major maintenance, repair and refurbishment purposes.

VNY is one of four airports owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, and is ranked as the world's busiest general aviation airfield.

FMI: www.lawa.org