Editorial Board Says No Legitimate Reason To Shorten The Runway

The Editorial Board of the Los Angeles Times has published an article that urges the City of Santa Monica to not be a “slumlord” to KSMO, even with the airport's eventual closure looming.

The agreement between the city and the FAA requires the city to run the airport in a reasonable fashion. That includes services for airport users, including fuel at a reasonable price.

City manager Rick Cole told the paper that the city “will not starve the airport, but we will not feed the airport.” The Editorial Board says that the city should not act like a “slumlord” and not stand in the way of tenants who would like to invest in and grow their businesses.

The board says that dilapidated hangars should be repaired and rented to people who have been on waiting lists, some for years, and not to non-aviation interests. Cole said that the city will give preference to aviation clients for new hangar rentals.

The only fuel vendor will likely charge as much as $8 per gallon for fuel, which is nearly double what is charged at other airports. Cole said that the city will soon begin to offer self-service fuel, and the board said that the city should be held to that promise.

The editorial also states that there is no reason to shorten the runway at KSMO by nearly 1,500 feet to 3,500 feet. The board states that while smaller aircraft can use a shorter runway, “they shouldn’t have to.”

The airport will be open for at least another 12 years. The LA Times Editorial Board said that the pilots and the FAA should assure that the city lives up to its side of the bargain.

(Image from file)

FMI: Full Editorial