Airports
SMO Facing Further Efforts at Airport Closure
The Santa Monica city council listened to pro- and anti-airport commenters on April 30 before deciding to double the landing fees for all aircraft (based and transient). The move, perhaps a precursor to a plan to dramatically reduce all operations at the airport, is particulary noteworthy because the city touts its aviation heritage, with an official seal that includes images of two globe-girdling Douglas World Cruisers that were built at Santa Monica Airport.
The Santa Monica city council listened to pro- and anti-airport commenters on April 30 before deciding to double the landing fees for all aircraft (based and transient). The move, perhaps a precursor to a plan to dramatically reduce all operations at the airport, is particulary noteworthy because the city touts its aviation heritage, with an official seal that includes images of two globe-girdling Douglas World Cruisers that were built at Santa Monica Airport.

On July 1, 2015, Santa Monica Airport in southern California may be a completely different airfield, if the city of Santa Monica has its way. On that date, the city wants to end all fuel sales, not renew any aviation-related leases and cut 2,000 feet from the airport’s 4,973-foot runway.