Is Your Airport in Danger? Whiteman Field Provides a Cautionary Tale

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 01:09 PM ET

Verified

Whiteman Airport [Credit: Platinum Media]

Key Takeaways:

Whiteman Field (KWHP) in Pacoima, California, faces significant community and political pressure for closure, fueled by concerns over recent aircraft accidents, alleged environmental impact, and the perception of it being a detrimental "playground for the rich" in a low-income area.
Proponents for keeping the airport open, including Los Angeles County officials, counter these arguments by highlighting KWHP's substantial economic contributions (over $112 million annually and 275 jobs), its role in supporting public safety services, and providing educational and community programs.
Despite calls for closure and safety audits, Los Angeles County currently has no plans to shut down Whiteman Field, largely due to obligations from accepting $4.8 million in FAA Airport Improvement Program grants which mandate the airport remain operational for 20 years from the last grant in 2021.

See a mistake? Contact us.

It happens with alarming frequency: You read a story in your local newspaper about someone pushing for the closure of the local airport. Perhaps it’s an election year, or locals accuse the airport of being solely a playground for the rich, a danger to public health, and/or an economic drain on the community.

There are calls for the airport to be shut down and the property redeveloped—and sometimes these efforts span decades and are successful. Other times, the pilots and businesses in the community are able to thwart the closure effort using facts at a time when emotions are running high.