Low-Fare Flights Will Begin On Schedule Feb 6, CEO Says

With or without permission from the City of Santa Monica, JetSuiteX plans to begin scheduled operations out of Santa Monica Airport (KSMO) on February 6.

That's the position of JetSuite CEO Alex Wilcox, who says that the company has "a federal right to operate" to and from KSMO even if the city does not grant the company a certificate for such operations.

The city, however, says JetSuiteX is selling tickets for a service that they legally have no right to offer.

The southern California newspaper The Argonaut reports that JetSuiteX will operate as a "public charter" as allowed in Part 135 of the FARs. That is different from a commercial operation. The company made that distinction to KSMO manager Stelios Makrides in a letter dated January 17, which prompted a closed-door meeting between the city council and the city's interim attorney.

While no action was taken at that meeting, Santa Monica City Manager Rick Cole said that the city plans to "vigorously work to keep them from beginning what we consider — until a [commercial] permit is considered — an illegal operation.”

Cole said that the "opinion" of the company is moot. "We are the regulatory body and they don't have a permit," Cole said. The city says it has not approved the permit on the grounds that JetSuite provided "incomplete information" in its application.

The FAA hasn't been much help. They sent a one-line response to various requests for clarification. The agency said in the brief statement that its role "is to ensure that airport sponsors comply with federal obligations,” citing the 20 pages of rules for "Assurances: Airport Sponsor" for grant recipients.

FMI: www.jetsuite.com, www.smgov.net/departments/cmo, www.faa.gov