With an eye in the mirror of history over the closing of Chicago’s Meigs Field 20 years ago without a hard enough fight, the National Business Aviation Association and five related stakeholders yesterday challenged the legality of the January agreement between the FAA and the City of Santa Monica allowing the city to first shorten SMO’s 4,973-foot runway to 3,500 feet and eventually close the airport entirely in 2028. This large group of stakeholders want the court to vacate the FAA’s agreement with the city.
NBAA Returns to Court Over Santa Monica
Key Takeaways:
- The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and five other stakeholders are challenging a January agreement between the FAA and the City of Santa Monica to shorten and eventually close Santa Monica Airport (SMO).
- The petitioners argue that the FAA lacked the authority to create the agreement, disregarding public input and numerous mandatory statutory requirements, including those related to noise, capacity, and environmental policy.
- The NBAA also contends that the FAA failed to consider the agreement's negative consequences on local businesses, operators, and SMO's vital role as a reliever airport to LAX, seeking a court order to vacate the decision.
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