With the agreement the City of Santa Monica made with the FAA earlier this year to shorten the runway at SMO and ultimately close the airport in 2028, the city is working quickly to shut out business jets from the embattled airport as soon as possible.
Santa Monica Rushes to Shorten SMO Runway
Key Takeaways:
- The City of Santa Monica is rapidly proceeding with plans to shorten the Santa Monica Airport (SMO) runway to 3,500 feet, a $3.5 million taxpayer-funded project aimed at deterring business jet traffic.
- This action is part of an agreement with the FAA to ultimately close the airport in 2028, with construction scheduled to begin in October and conclude by year-end.
- Despite the city's efforts, multiple lawsuits from groups like NBAA and airport tenants are challenging the FAA agreement and the city's actions, potentially obligating Santa Monica to restore the runway at additional cost.
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