IRVINE, CA - January 18, 2001 -- Despite Los Angeles World Airport’s call today for expanded airport service in Orange County, the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority (ETRPA) notes that building an El Toro airport will not result in any net gain in airport capacity in the Southern California region. Currently the Orange County Board of Supervisors is claiming to support an 18 MAP airport at El Toro, roughly the same design size as John Wayne Airport. With the two airports only seven miles apart, virtually all aviation experts agree that only one will remain open. Consequently, replacing one airport capable of serving 18 million passengers, with a new airport of the same capacity, will not increase the regional aviation capacity by even one traveler.
The Los Angeles DEIR echoes what airline pilots, airlines, air traffic controllers and many other aviation experts have long claimed. Orange County’s plan for a two-airport system with John Wayne and El Toro is unlikely. Proponents of an airport at El Toro, who admittedly would like to see John Wayne closed, ignore the operational, safety and practical realities that plague the El Toro airport plan. Aside from overwhelming community opposition, El Toro will not be able to provide more air capacity than Orange County already has with John Wayne. And, as stated today by LAWA, the region’s international gateway will continue to be LAX, which will draw passengers from Ventura to San Diego.
Orange County encompasses less than 2% of the land in Southern California. The County’s population is expected to be less than 7% of the region’s total growth. This calls into question the need for additional aviation capacity in Orange County, when other regions, particularly the Inland Empire, is expected to double or triple in population.
Orange County is already served by seven open and planned airports within
a 50 mile radius: John Wayne, Long Beach, LAX, Ontario, Burbank, March
and San Bernardino. This is more aviation capacity than any other
region in the world. By building a commercial airport at El Toro,
the county would increase economic burdens on the Inland Empire by adding
to the region’s jobs/housing imbalance.
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