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 implementing a $3.5 million project to shorten the Santa Monica Airport (SMO) runway from 4,973 to 3,500 feet, starting in October, to exclude most business jet traffic as part of an agreement with the FAA to close the airport by 2028.
- The runway shortening, which includes a brief airport closure, aims for completion by year-end to preempt new chart amendments, and city staff are already planning future uses for the reclaimed airport property.
- These actions face significant legal challenges, including pending lawsuits from NBAA and airport tenants against the FAA and the city, which could potentially halt the runway project and the planned 2028 closure, obligating the city to reverse changes at additional taxpayer expense.
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