Santa Monica Pushing Companies Out of Airport, Critics Say

SANTA MONICA, CA -- Two companies operating out of the Santa Monica Municipal Airport are fighting the city's effort to evict them, and it seems to be working.

The city has been trying to wind down operation and close the airport, but both the FCC and the companies working out of the airport are fighting them on it.

Last month, Santa Monica issued a 30-day notice to Atlantic Aviation and American Flyers, both are fixed-based operations companies, that would have gone into effect Oct. 15, however, both are still operating out of the airport.

The companies complained to the FAA that the city's eviction efforts violated federal aviation laws -- a claim the agency is investigating. Meanwhile, the eviction notice has been extended until at least Nov. 4.

The city does have the right to replace companies providing legally-required services with city employees performing the same functions. Critics, however, are claiming the city is using that as a pretext to worsen the conditions at the airport. The FAA is looking into whether the city is making a good-faith effort in providing the services of the companies it is trying to evict.

People in favor of closing the airport cite safety concerns as their reasons. There have been a few fatal crashes at the airport in the past 20 years and people say airplane exhausts are harming their health.

The FAA, however, said the city's has an obligation to keep the airport open until 2023 because it received federal funding to upgrade the facility. The agency has issued several warnings to the city about its efforts to close the airport.

The City Council will look into the issue at its next meeting on Oct. 25. The council will also review the potential new lawsuits the companies are bringing as well as the FAA proceedings against the city.