In a judgment handed down on June 12, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit rejected a challenge to an historic Consent Decree that allowed Santa Monica to shorten the runway at Santa Monica Airport, according to the City of Santa Monica.
“The ruling by the D.C. Circuit affirms yet again that our agreement with the FAA is sound,” said Mayor Ted Winterer. “One year in, we see the terms of the agreement in action are working. The runway shortening has significantly reduced jet traffic and we are steadily creating a plan to convert airport land into a great park that will benefit the entire community.”
Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement / Consent Decree reached between the City of Santa Monica and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on January 30, 2017, the City agreed to operate SMO through December 31, 2028., but then has the authority, in its sole discretion, to cease operating the airport and close it to all aeronautical use forever, according to the City.
“The ability to close the airport at the end of 2028 also ensures that the City can move forward with its long-term plan to replace the airport with a regional park of nearly 250 acres,” the City said.
