Project Expected To Take Some 10 Days To Complete

The Santa Monica Airport (KSMO) runway has been closed for the project to shorten the single landing strip from 4,973 feet to 3,500 feet under an agreement reached last year between the FAA and the city. The project is expected to cost the city's taxpayers some $3.5 million.

Television station KTLA reports that the runway was closed on Wednesday to allow the construction to begin.

The agreement reached between the FAA and the city allows for the runway to be shortened prior to an eventual complete closure of the airport in 2028. City leaders want to convert the airport property into a public park.

Meanwhile, operations at the airport up until the closure for construction included support for firefighting efforts in southern California. And the airport recently saw a visit from Santa Claus. Santa visited with many families and children at the airport earlier this week and determined all had been nice and gave them small gifts of pilot wings and airplanes. Santa also received a cookie and card from one of the visiting children.

On Santa’s naughty list however was the City Council in Santa Monica, who this week is closing SMO for two weeks to shorten the runway, making Santa’s sleigh Christmas eve landings more difficult. Santa was very upset when he heard the news that City council wishes to close the SMO airport completely at the end of 2018. “Where will Santa land with all his reindeer, sleigh and presents for all the children?” said Santa.

Santa and Mrs. Claus departed SMO safely and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holidays.

(Sources: SMAA news release and as cited. Image provided by SMAA)

FMI: Original Report