The outlook for the fate of Santa Monica Airport remains grim, but all hope is not lost. The U.S. Court of Appeals for District of Columbia Circuit has referred a controversial agreement between the FAA and the city of Santa Monica, California, to close Santa Monica Airport to a “merits panel” for further review regarding the legality of the settlement agreement.
Court Orders Review of FAA Deal To Close Santa Monica Airport
Key Takeaways:
- A controversial agreement between the FAA and the city of Santa Monica to close Santa Monica Airport (SMO) by December 31, 2028, and shorten its runway immediately, has been referred for further legal review.
- The U.S. Court of Appeals for D.C. Circuit sent the settlement agreement to a "merits panel" for review, deferring the FAA’s motion for dismissal of the challenge.
- The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is challenging the agreement, arguing the FAA failed to follow established procedures, though the court denied NBAA's request to stop the city from shortening the runway.
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