It should come as no surprise that when a runway is shortened there is a price to pay in terms of safety. After shortening the runway from about 5,000 feet to 3,500 feet, the city of Santa Monica published statistics that show that the closed sections are indeed needed.
Shorter Runway at KSMO Increases Risk
Key Takeaways:
- Shortening the Santa Monica Airport (KSMO) runway from 5,000 to 3,500 feet has led to significant safety concerns, with over 40 recorded instances in 2018 where aircraft used the closed sections.
- These incidents, involving mostly non-KSMO based piston singles and including two emergency uses, highlight the ongoing need for the full runway length for safe operations.
- Despite these safety hazards, the city plans to permanently remove the inactive pavement, though this project is currently delayed due to bids exceeding the allocated budget.
- The runway shortening has already significantly reduced jet traffic, addressing a key community complaint, ahead of the airport's FAA-authorized full closure in 2028.
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