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Regional Affairs

Battle lines drawn over access to Santa Monica

After the Santa Monica City Council voted unanimously on March 25 to ban jet traffic from Santa Monica Municipal Airport, the FAA immediately filed a court order requiring the city to justify its actions. The city has cited safety concerns as a motivator for banning Category C and D jets starting April 24. Part of the city’s plan also includes shortening the single runway to add safety areas to both ends. “This is a just another thinly veiled attempt by the city to ultimately close the airport,” said Bill Dunn, AOPA vice president of airports. “We strongly support the FAA’s firm stance against the groundless ban.” Read more on AOPA Online.

April 4, 2008