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In Business - Las Vegas, July 28 - August 3, 2006 posted July 31, 2006
"California-LV train hopes are revived"
 
"Train service between Southern California and Las Vegas, a dream some tourism leaders have had since Amtrak discontinued its Desert Wind service in May 1997, would get a fresh start under a proposal aired this week by a Las Vegas company."

"DesertXpress Enterprises Inc., outlined plans for a $3 billion high-speed train proposal to link Las Vegas with Victorville [saying] the train could eliminate 3 million car trips a year."

Website Editor: A competing plan would link Anaheim with Las Vegas.

"About one-third of Las Vegas' 38 million visitors come from Southern California."

"Even the skies are getting cluttered. There are on average 35 round trips a day between LAX and McCarran [airport]. Even Southern California's reliever airports aren't much of a relief. There are 13 round trips a day to and from Burbank, 13 at Ontario, 11 at Orange County's John Wayne International Airport and two to Long Beach. There also are 18 flights a day linking Las Vegas with San Diego."

Website Editor: To put this in perspective, the Las Vegas flights add up to enough traffic to tie up one medium sized Southern California airport. Adding high-speed rail across the desert is a logical way to avoid having to add airports.

Click for more.

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LA  TImes Travel, July 30, 2006
"Hang on, fliers, as LAX rips up its 2nd-longest runway"

"As if air travel this summer hasn't been stressful enough, the ride may get bumpier for LAX passengers. This weekend the airport is scheduled to close one of its four runways for eight months as part of a two-year, $333-million modernization project."

"Representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration say shutting down 25% of LAX's capacity at the height of the travel season should not result in excessive delays. They predict that peak-hour backups won't exceed 25 minutes."

"To prevent huge delays, the FAA has advised LAX's 85 airlines to adjust their schedules during the airport's 'rush hours,' typically 1 to 2 p.m. for departures, 8:45 to 9:45 p.m. for arrivals."

"In-bound flights from Asia, Europe and the East Coast are at the greatest risk of delays, because the closed runway was used primarily for large-aircraft arrivals."

"Some travelers are hedging their bets by switching to alternate Southland airports . . .  But those flights could be disrupted too, the FAA said, because planes bound for LAX will get priority during backups. Long Beach airport, in particular, could be most affected because it shares some airspace with LAX."  More. . .

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El Toro Info Site report, July 29, 2006
San Diego airport news bites

Between January and June, Lindbergh Field served 8.5 million passengers, an increase of 1.3 percent from the same period a year ago.

Air cargo rose for the first half of the year, up 2.4 percent from the first half of 2005.

The San Diego Regional Airport Authority will explore the possibilities of a cross-border airport terminal that would provide a way for U.S. citizens flying into Tijuana Rodriguez International Airport to cross directly into the United States after deplaning in Mexico.  Click for more

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Daily Pilot, July 28, 2006
Newport Beach Airport Policy updated

"An updated airport policy statement for the city no longer talks about a commercial airport at the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. The council unanimously voted to approve the updated policy, which stresses that the city opposes a second runway, flight curfew changes or any other expansion of services at John Wayne Airport that isn't already in the legal settlement agreement. The policy also says there is no feasible site in Orange County for another commercial airport."

Website Editor: Limited public comment at the city council meeting principally addressed questions regarding the customs area to be added at JWA to serve direct flights from Canada and Mexico. One lady expressed a need for public protection against the possible risks of "bad people" coming to Newport Beach from other countries.

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San Diego Union Tribune, July 27, 2006 posted July 28
"Chamber board votes to support Miramar airport plan"

"The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce decided to support the Nov. 7 ballot measure on the possible use of Miramar Air Station for a commercial airport.

"The chamber's board voted narrowly Thursday morning in favor of the advisory measure, which identifies the Marine Corps installation as the best replacement for a congested Lindbergh Field of the future."

"The exact vote was not immediately disclosed, but a Chamber official said it 'was as close to a tie as it possibly could have been.'"  Website Editor: It subsequently was reported as 19-18.

"Prior to Thursday morning's private board meeting, three chamber committees had voted in favor of the ballot measure and two others had voted against it."

"Joint use isn't specifically mentioned in the ballot text. Military officials have repeatedly said a civilian airport would be incompatible with their combat training operations at Miramar."

"[Airport] boosters now say a civilian facility would require a major change in military operations at Miramar." Click for more.

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El Toro Info Site report, July 27, 2006
Who uses JWA?

The San Diego statement about residents of North San Diego County using John Wayne Airport sent us scurrying to update our JWA passenger data to 2005.

JWA management regularly surveys passengers, primarily to detect ways in which user satisfaction can be improved. Results show that the airport is well regarded. The main reason given as to why anyone in Orange County chooses to use an airport other than JWA is "flight schedules and availability."

Two out of 3 passengers are visitors. Of those who are from OC, the majority continue to be from North County.

Just under half of the passengers are traveling on business, the remainder for pleasure or personal reasons.

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El Toro Info Site report, July 26, 2006
Air fares are up – JWA posts greatest local increases

Today, the Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation released its Air Travel Price Index (ATPI) for the first quarter of 2006. The ATPI statistics are a measure of the change over time in the prices paid for tickets by air travelers.

Results for the first quarter of 2006, compared to the same period last year show the following percentage price increases for local airports:

Airport	Percentage price increase 2006 vs. 2005
Orange County	17.31
Burbank	13.95
Long Beach	11.52
Ontario	10.37
Los Angeles	7.64
National Average	10.26

The first quarter index does not include the $4.50 passenger service charge initiated at John Wayne airport in July, which will show up in the index for the third quarter of the year.

Travelers using JWA rarely see special fare offers and are subjected to chronically high fares because the supply of seats is artificially limited to less than the demand.

This year, airport and county officials rejected a request from low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines to add over 500,000 passenger seats to its JWA service.

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OC Business Journal, July 25, 2006 - updated July 26
"Lennar Wants 5,800 More El Toro Homes"

"Lennar Corp. proposed Tuesday to nearly triple the number of homes it plans to build at the former El Toro Marine base in Irvine."

"The changes would add more than 5,800 homes to the Heritage Fields site [bringing the total to 9,500], while cutting back retail and industrial space by 30%."

"The company could build some high-rise condominium towers." Website Editor: OCBJ's Rick Reiff sure called that one correctly a year ago.

"The city of Irvine also would get another 402 acres of land, bringing the city-owned portion of the 3,700-acre site to 1,749 acres. Lennar also would forward the city $200 million in loans to jump-start development of the Great Park."

"Traffic volume is expected to remain the same."

"Lennar is set to present the proposal to the City Council Tuesday night." Click for more from the OCBJ.

Click for more detailed July 26 coverage from the OC Register.

Website Editor: Lennar also will gift to the park a $1-million orange balloon and three years of upkeep that city council members seem anxious to have flying this year. The first phase of the park is projected to open in 2009.

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El Toro Info Site report, July 25, 2006 - updated
SCAG to hear reasons to support Miramar airport

A representative of the San Diego Regional Airport Authority will speak to the Southern California Regional Airport Authority, SCAG Aviation Task Force on Thursday about the San Diego airport site selection process and the choice of Miramar for a new commercial airport to replace Lindbergh Field. SCAG is the regional transportation planning authority for six counties comprising Southern California with the exception of San Diego which does its own planning.

An advance copy of the presentation "Why Does San Diego's Airport Matter to SCAG?" provides this information.  Our comments are in italics.

"There are more flights a day to San Diego from LAX than any other destination (41 each way)." 
With an average of 1,783 aircraft movements per day at LAX in 2005, the San Diego traffic is a small fraction of LAX's air traffic load.
 
"Over 1/3 of all passengers that fly from San Diego to LAX are connecting to long-haul or international flights."
Presumably the balance, who are in the majority, are commuting between the cities on business or pleasure and not connecting to other flights. Perhaps they could be coaxed to take the train. A new airport does not seem to be much of an answer.

"North County residents use JWA and LGB for domestic travel."
Yes, in very small numbers. The JWA passenger survey conducted in 2000 reported that all out of county users of JWA from Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura and San Diego totaled about 6 percent of the airport's travelers. The 2005 survey produced a smaller figure. San Diego residents are minor users of JWA and probably use LGB even less..

"Almost 40% of San Diego County residents [departing for Europe] depart from LAX"
British Airways once offered nonstop flights between San Diego and London. Despite local enthusiasm, service was discontinued in 2004, since not enough San Diegans wanted to fly to London to fill the 777 aircraft. It is unclear as to why a new airport would materially change this situation.

This website has not taken a position regarding the commercial use of Miramar. Our position is that planning decisions should be based on complete, accurate and meaningful information.

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Long Beach Press Telegram, July 21, 2006 posted July 24
"LBUSD sues city over airport plans"

"The Long Beach Unified School District on Friday filed a lawsuit against the city of Long Beach claiming an Environmental Impact Report on proposed airport terminal improvements is insufficient."
 
"The legal action in Los Angeles Superior Court disappointed officials at City Hall, and comes just days after the city and representatives of a group of residents and organizations had worked to negotiate a settlement of their differences with the EIR."

"The talks, to be held over the next 60 days, are meant to prevent such a lawsuit . . . giving the two sides breathing room to negotiate."

"In defending its lawsuit, the school district said it is trying to preserve its options."  Click for more.

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El Toro Info Site report, July 23, 2006
Newport Beach to change Airport Policy

The Newport Beach City Council is set to adopt recommended changes to its Airport Policy on Tuesday. The previous policy promoted a commercial airport at the former El Toro base.

The updated policy acknowledges the new reality that “the City needs to work on finding ways to serve Orange County air transportation demand at other facilities or through alternative means of transportation – and not just focus on efforts to control JWA impacts. . . any solution would be outside of Orange County and . . . ‘there is presently no feasible site for a second air carrier airport in Orange County.’  While this statement may be difficult to accept [in NPB], the Citizens Aviation Committee concluded that our residents are better served by a policy that reflects reality.”

This website has long advocated that the Board of Supervisors and the OCTA seek improved means for getting O.C. travelers to airports in neighboring counties – with better roads and FlyAway service - and, if possible, to their destinations via high speed rail service. In our view, the development of future alternatives should be a prerequisite to extending the passenger limits at John Wayne Airport.

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LA Times editorial, July 22, 2006
"One Less Runway at LAX"

"One week from today, the four runways at LAX will be reduced to three as the southernmost landing strip is shifted 55 feet closer to El Segundo. The $333-million project will keep the runway closed until March 2007, but that won't mark an end to the troubles for pilots and passengers. The runway will subsequently be open during the day, but it will still be closed at night as workers build new taxiways, a process that is expected to last until July 2008."

"Translation: If you think long lines and delays are a problem now, just wait."

"If you find yourself eating Thanksgiving dinner at the airport Burger King instead of at Mom's house this year, just remember: It's all in the name of progress."

Click for the entire piece.

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El Toro Info Site report, July 21, 2006
Miramar airport opponents gearing up for fight

Opponents of a commercial airport at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, to replace San Diego's Lindbergh Field, are gearing up to oppose a November advisory ballot measure.
 
San Diego City Councilmember Jim Madaffer, who represents the district around Miramar, has taken a prominent role in the effort. Madaffer argues that industry trends and aviation technology are increasing the capacity of the existing airport faster than new demand is arising. He reports "the number of operations (flights) at Lindbergh . . .  has actually gone down.  In 1995, the annual operations at Lindbergh were 245,280.  Ten years later in 2005, the annual operations went down to 228,672."
 
We have cited similar data in the Los Angeles region to bolster the view that new airports are not as essential as some airport proponents claim. The capacity of existing runways can be increased if groundside facilities and access are upgraded.

San Diego Taxpayers for Responsible Planning notes that London Gatwick Airport handles over 31 million annual passengers with a single runway and expects to grow its service to serve 40 MAP.

However, Gatwick has advantages not available in San Diego. It currently utilizes approximately 1,458 acres of a 1,675 acre site and operates 24-7.

Another political action committee, led by businessmen and former military officers, has formed "Support Our Military ---- No On Miramar".

The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce's board of directors may decide not to endorse the airport plan when it meets next week. The critical endorsement has been in question since the chamber's public policy committee -- viewed as a barometer for the board -- voted last week to oppose the airport authority's ballot measure.

If the various airport opponents learn from the Orange County experience, work together, and borrow tactics from the El Toro fight, the San Diego Regional Airport Authority could have a difficult time getting its convoluted draft ballot measure past the voters.

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El Toro Info Site report, July 20, 2006
Great Park news

Great Park Corp members and political opponents Larry Agran and Stephen Choi present conflicting pictures of the grand jury recommendation that park board representation be broadened. The Irvine election campaign clearly is underway with the park at ground zero..

Agran says “Except for council members Christina Shea and Steven Choi, just about everyone I know in Irvine recoils at the discredited notion of putting county politicians and bureaucrats in charge of the Great Park.” 

Choi states, “The grand jury did not say that the Board of Supervisors should try to take over the Great Park. Instead, it said that they should act to broaden public participation in the decision-making process for the park. The park’s board should represent the entire county, as was originally promised.”

In other articles, we learn that a big orange balloon - a signal that the park is coming -  “likely will be floating 500 feet above the old El Toro Marine Corps base by the end of the year.” Somehow we read "end of the year" to mean by the November city election.

The Times reports that “Wild Rivers, Verizon Amphitheater Consider Homes in Great Park.”  Previously the National Archives in Laguna Niguel and part of the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa were discussed.  How well does relocating every land hungry facility in the county fit with the "the promise of Measure W"?

Click for all of today’s newspaper stories about the park.

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El Toro Info Site report, July 19, 2006 - updated July 20
Power outage shuts all SoCal airports

A vehicle reportedly crashed into a power pole in front of a Wal-Mart in Palmdale, cutting off power and closing all Southern California airports for over an hour last evening. The ripple effect was felt at airports across the nation.

The outage, which delayed hundreds of flights and stranded thousands of passengers, occurred about 5:38 p.m. at a Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control center in Palmdale. It marks the second time in less than two years that troubles at the Palmdale center caused major a disruption in air service, although authorities said it's too early to know whether the two incidents point to a systemic problem.

A backup generator failed to function properly and shut down.

Click for more July 19 coverage.

Click for a July 20 review from the Times - "FAA looks for answers".

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LA Daily News, July 18, 2006
"Bob Hope-Van Nuys shuttle considered"

"A proposal to run a shuttle between Bob Hope Airport and the Van Nuys FlyAway bus terminal is being considered to relieve a long-term parking shortage at the local [Burbank] airport."

"Bob Hope Airport officials warned of a potential parking shortfall during the busy summer travel season."

"The airport's 6,500 parking spaces start the day about 70 percent full and must rely on turnover to ensure a spot for every car."

A spokesman for the airport said, "The general rule is passengers like to come (to Bob Hope Airport) because it's still convenient. ... Remote parking is not a big seller."

Website Editor: BUR use has grown sharply as domestic travelers shun LAX for more convenient airports.

Burbank Airport entered into a ten-year agreement against expansion which limits parking space as well as the size of its terminal. The FlyAway service is an inconvenient device to circumvent the agreement by using remote parking in Van Nuys.

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El Toro Info Site report, July 17, 2006
Regional Airport Authority emerging from coma facing uncertain future

The Southern California Regional Airport Authority (SCRAA) lapsed into a coma in late 2002 as the City of Los Angeles failed to participate.  Los Angeles resisted having the regional group play a role in planning for LAX and other Los Angeles World Airports, LAWA facilities. Orange and Riverside Counties subsequently dropped out of the group.

Now, L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa seeks to reactive SCRAA in an effort to spread air travel from LAX to other regional airports.

However, Los Angeles may find that members of a revived SCRAA do not support this concept.

Orange County participation in the group is likely to focus on protecting John Wayne Airport against Los Angeles’ goal of shifting future air service.

This month, the County of Riverside voted to rejoin SCRAA in response to L.A. and Southern California Association of Governments, SCAG pressure to create a passenger airport at March Field. Riverside decided that, “Significant new MAP (million air passengers ) would have to be absorbed if LAX’s future MAP is reduced and . . . representation . . . is therefore important on SCRAA so that March Field does not become a convenient ‘dumping ground’ for future MAP generated in other areas of Southern California.”

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El Toro Info Site report, July 16, 2006
Department of Transportation releases April airport data. LAX drops in ranking

U.S. airlines carried 0.5 percent more domestic and international passengers and flew 4.8 percent fewer flights on their systems during the first four months of 2006 than they did during the same period in 2005, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported, in a release of preliminary data this week.

Among the top 10 U.S. airports measured by total year-to-date enplaned domestic and international passengers on U.S. air carriers, LAX ranked fourth after Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas-Ft. Worth.

The Los Angeles airport ranked sixth in domestic-only enplanements, behind Atlanta, Chicago and DFW and after being overtaken this year by Denver and Las Vegas.

See the FAA's data on the number of flights by airport below.

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El Toro Info Site report, July 15, 2006
JWA traffic for first half of year lags estimate

John Wayne Airport reports "Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport decreased in June 2006 as compared to June 2005.  In June 2006, the Airport served 852,422 passengers, a decrease of 0.4% when compared to the June 2005 passenger traffic count of 856,085."

Total passenger traffic for the first six months of 2006 lagged the same period last year by 0.6 percent.

Airport management estimated that traffic would be up by as much as 10 percent this year. They used the optimistic projection as the basis for recommending denial of a Southwest Airline request to increase passenger service at the airport.

Out of concern that the airport might approach the 10.3 MAP cap on allowed passenger service, the Board of Supervisors approved management's recommendation that airline seat allocations be held at the same level as last year, when passengers totaled 9.6 million.

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El Toro Info site report, July 11, 2006
John Wayne Airport capacity control
 
In February 2002, the Board of Supervisors approved EIR 582 and selected their preferred alternative for expanding John Wayne Airport, voting to increase the number of gates from 14 to 18 and the maximum allowed passengers from the previous limit of 8.4 to a new MAP cap of 9.8 million annual passengers.
 
However, by December 2002, the restrictions were loosened in exchange for an agreement from the airlines to not litigate against the plan and contingent on FAA approval. The parties to the Settlement Agreement accepted Final EIR 582, Addendum EIR 582-1 increasing the number of gates to 20 and the maximum allowed MAP cap in two steps to 10.8 MAP.

The county has not disclosed what the unconstrained maximum capacity of the airport might be after the 2011 completion of the $1/2 billion expansion and the 2015 expiration of the current settlement agreement amendment.

Construction will start this year. We have updated this website's report on the History, Newport Beach Settlement Agreement, Current Operations and Future of John Wayne Airport to incorporate the latest developments. Click here for the report.

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LA Times, July 10, 2006
"Airlines Plot Courses to Mexico"

"Lured by a growing tourist trade and hopes of generous profits, U.S. airlines are taking a new look at an old destination — Mexico. The destinations include resorts and business centers, and much of the service will originate from Southern California — particularly Los Angeles International Airport."

"Mexico . .  is by far the most common international destination from LAX, with almost twice as many passengers last year than No. 2 Canada."

"Delta and Alaska Air . . .are seeking government approval to launch service from LAX to La Paz."

"Delta had already secured preliminary or final approval to start service on several new routes to Mexico this year [including] Ixtapa and Cancun. It received preliminary approval to launch service from LAX to Puerto Vallarta, and it is seeking U.S. Department of Transportation approval to fly from LAX to eight other Mexican destinations, including La Paz, Loreto and Los Mochis, a jumping-off point for tours of the Copper Canyon area."

"Alaska is seeking permission to fly from LAX to La Paz. Alaska has seen its traffic between the West Coast and Mexico grow 62% since 1998 as travel by tourists, businesspeople and U.S. residents visiting friends and family in Mexico have grown."

"Frontier is also seeking authority to fly nonstop between San Diego and Cancun."

"Meanwhile, Mexicana de Aviacion and Aeromexico . . . have been adding service between the U.S. and Mexico, with Aeromexico adding flights from both LAX and Ontario International Airport and Mexicana launching service to Fresno."

Click for more . . .

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El Toro Info Site report, July 9, 2006
Nation’s busiest airports in 2006; LAX in 4th place

The "old media" reports that O’Hare was the nation’s busiest airport for the first half of this year, measured by flight operations. All flights were counted including air taxis and general aviation. Atlanta was second and DFW third. The FAA does not collect passenger data.

This website obtained complete data from the FAA, listing the following busiest airports and their flights handled during January-June 2006. LAX was in fourth place.

Rank	Airport	Flights
1	Chicago	477,001
2	Atlanta	472,431
3	Dallas-Ft. Worth	348,434
4	Los Angeles	322,045
5	Las Vegas	307,530
6	Houston	298,660
7	Denver	296,140
8	Phoenix	274,145

 

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S.D. Regional Airport Authority News Releases, June 30 and July 6, 2006, posted July 7
“Airport Authority increases non-stop route services for summer travelers”

“The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority announces additional non-stop flights to Honolulu, Maui and New York [JFK] from San Diego International Airport in time for summertime travel.”

“The new services provided by Delta, United and Hawaiian reflect the Airport Authority’s commitment to improve and increase air service options for the San Diego region. We are very pleased that we can now offer San Diego residents and travelers the convenience of new non-stop flights to popular business and vacation destinations,” said Thella F. Bowens, President/CEO of the Airport Authority. More . . .

The San Diego authority also has updated its website design. The redesigned www.san.org “features a main section providing visitors with user-friendly, one-stop information about flights and other activities at San Diego International Airport, including updated terminal maps, flight timetables and directions.”
 
Website Editor: Providing complete flight schedules to and from Lindbergh Field is a useful touch.

We applaud San Diego for its “commitment to improve and increase air service options.”  Most of the new non-stop service arrives and or departs during the evening when other airports like John Wayne sit underutilized with relatively few flights in the two or three hours before curfew.

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LA Times, July 6, 2006 - updated
"Councilmen Seek Rail Line Extension to LAX"

"The city should pursue extending the Green Line rail system to Los Angeles International Airport, two City Council members proposed Wednesday."

"Councilmen Bill Rosendahl, whose district includes LAX, and Bernard C. Parks called on the city airports agency to look into the extension to reduce traffic congestion. The head of the agency said last week that she opposed the extension."

Website Editor: According to a July 5 report in Aviation Week and Space Technology, New York's Kennedy Airport, which ranked well in the recent J.D. Powers passenger survey (See story below ) "has undertaken an $11 billion program to redevelop its physical facilities."  The New York airport authority "has launched a customer service initiative [and] spent $1.8 billion on the AirTrain to provide better accessibility to JFK."  N.Y. also "spent $410 million to modernize and widen [highway] exits near the airport."

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Daily Breeze, July 5, 2006
"LAX officials pay attention to the nation's high-rated airports"

"It's hard to say exactly what people like so much about Las Vegas' international airport. Maybe it's the easy check in, or the streamlined security."

"McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas won the highest marks from travelers in a recent J.D. Power and Associates survey of large U.S. airports. Los Angeles International Airport, meanwhile, remained mired near the bottom."

"It's a lesson LAX officials are paying closer attention to. The airport has launched a multimillion-dollar campaign to spruce up its old terminals, improve its stores and restaurants and make itself a little more likable."

"At LAX . . . travelers found the food substandard, the shops mediocre and the terminals among the worst of the 16 big airports in the survey. They didn't like checking in for flights at LAX, or going through security, or even trying to get to the airport in the first place."

"Airport directors have set aside millions of dollars to make LAX a more appealing place in the coming years. They plan to rip up old carpet, replace cracked tiles and renovate outdated bathrooms, as well as improve airport signs and offer such amenities as wireless Internet service and valet parking."

Website Editor: Click for the entire article that, unfortunately, does not report one word about making it easier to get to LAX.

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Daily Pilot, July 4, 2006 - updated
"Newport Beach sets priority list" 

"Priority No. 1 is resolving negotiations with the county over 'sphere issues,' or areas where city officials lack authority but hope to have more say, City Manager Homer Bludau said."

"Those areas include John Wayne Airport, where the city wants protection from future expansion; the Santa Ana Heights redevelopment agency, a multimillion-dollar fund devoted to improvements in Santa Ana Heights; and management of the Upper Newport Bay and tidelands property such as Newport Dunes."

"Bludau creates a priority list every year, and the sphere issues topped it for the second consecutive year. The city has been negotiating with the county for nearly three years, Bludau said."

"But the end is in sight -- Bludau expects to bring an agreement to the council in late July."

Website Editor: Click for a report on how the city seeks to restrict future utilization of John Wayne Airport by wrapping it in a package of "sphere issues" sweetened with economic incentives for the county.

In our view, current county supervisors should do nothing to restrict the future of JWA - which is already constrained until 2015 -  without having a plan in place for getting O.C. travelers to other airports. Decisions about JWA - beyond completion of the current terminal expansion project - are premature and should be made by future supervisors when more is known about the need for Southern California airport capacity.

Click for the website's summary of the history of the airport and its capacity controls.

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LA Times, July 2, 2006
"If You Think LAX Is Busy Now, Just Wait a Month"
"One of four runways will be closed during major construction. Stand by for delays."

"An intricate, two-year ballet between heavy machinery and jets plying a busy airfield debuts this month at LAX when workers start moving one of the airport's four runways."

"The first major project at Los Angeles International Airport in two decades aims to improve safety and prepare the airport for a new generation of jumbo jets. Work will begin just as the airport enters its most hectic month of the year, putting pilots, airlines, air traffic controllers — and members of nearby communities — on edge."

"The impending mix of heavy construction equipment and commercial air traffic at a crowded airport about to lose one-fourth of its runways has officials looking for ways to head off long delays, which could trigger problems at other airports as well."

"And LAX is experiencing its busiest summer in years, with long lines at ticket counters and security checkpoints, packed planes and routinely overbooked flights."

"If LAX becomes too busy at times, planes awaiting takeoff from other Southern California airports could be kept on the ground to avoid crowded skies. LAX would receive priority as it tries to clear a backup, officials said."

"With air traffic down by 20% since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and with some carriers using smaller jets, officials are hoping that delays at LAX will not climb significantly, despite losing one-fourth of its runways during the relocation." 

Website Editor: Serving the same number or more passengers on fewer flights has been the trend as load factors increase. Airlines are filling their planes rather than adding flights. Consequently, terminals may be busy but the available runways are not stressed to the same extent.

Click for more . . .

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Great Park media release, posted July 1, 2006
“Great Park Design Team Invites Public to Comment on Great Park Plan”

“The Orange County Great Park Corporation and the Great Park Design Team, which includes the architects and landscape designers who are creating the Great Park, are conducting a series of stakeholder meetings seeking public comment on the Great Park conceptual plan before it becomes a finalized master plan in August of this year.”

Click here for the schedule and location of meetings which will be held immediately following the 4th of July weekend.

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Click here for previous news stories