City Must Keep The Airport Open Through 2023, Agency Says

The FAA issued a ruling Monday that reiterates its position on the Santa Monica airport (KSMO) ... the city must keep the airport open through at least 2023.

The Santa Monica Daily Press reports that the FAA based its decision on the award of a grant for $1,604,700 to the city in 1994 for airport planning, airport development, or noise program implementation. Those projects were completed in 1996, but the city accepted an additional grant in 2003 for $240,600. The agency is standing firm on its assessment that the agreement lasts for the life of any facility built with the grant money, or 20 years.

The city had said that the 2003 grant was not a new award and should have been considered to be part of the 1994 grant. That would have meant the city's obligation ended in 2014.

In a written statement, Santa Monica Mayor Tony Vazquez said that the FAA's decision was to be expected. "The FAA has once again acted in their favor, as judge and jury in matters involving the future of Santa Monica’s land. We did not expect the FAA to rule against itself,” he said. “We will act swiftly to appeal this decision to a federal appellate court where an impartial panel of judges will consider all of the facts and our legal claims will finally be given fair consideration. Our City Council is committed to protect the health and safety of all the communities that have been forced to endure the adverse impacts from the airport.”

In addition to its battle with the FAA, the City of Santa Monica is fighting a lawsuit brought by the NBAA which charges that the city has illegally diverted money away from the airport in an effort to force businesses there to close and curtail aviation operations. The FAA has agreed to hear that case. The city is also in a legal dispute over the ownership of the land.

(Images from file)

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.smgov.net/departments/council