FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 4, 2002

Contact: Robert Burnham Contact: Alan Murphy

City Attorney’s Office, Newport Beach John Wayne Airport Director

949.644.3131 949.252.5183

SANTA ANA, CA – On Tuesday, December 10, 2002, the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the Newport Beach City Council will consider modifications to the Amended John Wayne Airport (JWA) Settlement Agreement that was approved by all of the parties last June. The modifications are limited to increases in permitted passenger service levels (from 9.8 to 10.3 Million Annual Passengers next year and to 10.8 Million Annual Passengers in 2011), two additional passenger loading bridges and the right to allocate two previously approved cargo flights to passenger carriers on a temporary basis. The modifications are contingent on, and will not become effective until, the parties receive a letter from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirming that the amended Settlement Agreement is consistent with federal law.

The modifications represent some, but not all, of the changes requested by the airlines serving JWA during recent discussions with the County over amendments to the plan by which the Settlement Agreement is administered. The County, City, the two community groups and the airlines have all been working towards a consensus on ways to increase the level of service at JWA without impacting the neighboring communities. Norma Glover, a member of the Newport Beach City Council and the chair of the committee that has taken the lead on extending the Settlement Agreement said, "I am delighted that we are in a position to secure an opinion from the FAA that will protect our residents and those of other neighboring communities by making modifications to Scenario 1 that help the airlines without impacting the community." Second District Supervisor, Jim Silva, representing Newport Beach and the airport area noted, "Bringing these modifications to the board and city council marks the conclusion of a 30 month process that will result in long term protection for the community and enhanced air transportation service for Orange County." Airport Director Alan Murphy concurred and said, "These modifications have been made possible by the important contributions that the aviation industry has made to noise reduction, and the willingness of the FAA to provide assurances to the community that has worked with, rather than against, the airlines to develop a win-win scenario."

The Airport Working Group (AWG) and the Newport Beach environmental group Stop Polluting Our Newport (SPON) have endorsed the proposed modifications. SPON and AWG are both signatories to the 1985 Settlement Agreement and their consent to the modifications is required. Allan Beek, spokesperson for SPON, confirmed that his organization believes the modifications will not have any significant impact on the communities near JWA and the FAA letter will protect against the legal challenges that some have predicted. Barbara Lichman, the Executive Director of AWG and an attorney specializing in aviation law said, "I am very pleased that we have been able to work with the airlines to solve problems while obtaining a letter that will have the effect of guaranteeing the long term security of the citizens of Newport Beach and the other communities in the JWA approach and departure corridor."