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El Toro Info Site report, September 29, 2006
Update on the Great Orange Balloon

The iconic Great Park orange balloon has hit some snags that could delay its launch.

A trio of balloons was originally envisioned, rising over the former El Toro runways and a display of World War II aircraft. The planes will probably be moved indoors to preserve them and the balloon site will be relocated to the Sports Park area.

However, that new location is not yet available from the Navy pending environmental remediation clearance.

Utilizing a temporary site to launch the publicity generating icon would necessitate spending approximately $1 million to relocate it later.

There are questions whether the passenger carrying balloon would draw sufficient paying traffic to make it economically viable before the park actually opens in 2009. Lennar has offered to contribute $300,000 a year towards its upkeep.

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El Toro Info Site report, September 28, 2006
Traffic is down at LAX, ONT, LGB and SNA contrary to forecasts

Despite predictions of the "busiest summer since 911", passenger numbers were down in August compared to the previous year at Los Angeles International, Ontario, Long Beach and John Wayne Airports. This is a continuation of a lackluster trend we noted in May, June and July.

August travel was down by 2.4 percent at LAX, 5.3 percent at ONT, 9.1 percent at LGB and 1.9 percent at SNA.
 
The airports also saw fewer passengers for the eight months year-to-date.

With flying apparently becoming less fun, it is becoming harder to justify various official forecasts of future air travel demand which assume that everyone will fly more. Two years ago, when we we compared SCAG air travel predictions for 2030 with population projections, each person in the region would have to fly almost twice as often, or have almost twice as many visitors, to make the forecast.

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El Toro Info Site report, September 27, 2006
Palm Springs Airport setting records

Of the six commercial airports in the region, Palm Springs International Airport has the least amount of commercial air traffic. Nevertheless, it is a hit with travelers. PSP has bucked the regional trend by serving more passengers every month this year than in the same month last year.

PSP is up 8 percent through August 2006. It is on its way to a 1.5 MAP year.

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OC Register, September 26, 2006
"High-speed-train study coming"

"A $7 million study for a high-speed-train route linking Orange County and Los Angeles was approved Monday by the Orange County Transportation Authority board of directors."
 
"The agency’s contribution is part of a $20 million plan to study engineering and environmental impacts for the Orange County-Los Angeles segment, part of a 700-mile system that could eventually stretch from the Bay Area to San Diego."
 
"The Orange County-Los Angeles route would link rail commuters from Anaheim to Union Station in Los Angeles at a speed of at least 125 miles per hour."  More  . . .

Website Editor: Completion of the statewide train system in 2015-2020 could dramatically reduce the need for future airport capacity.

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El Toro Info Site report, September 26, 2006 - updated
El Toro runway demolition yet to takeoff

On May 12th, the demolition of El Toro's runways seemingly began, with speeches, TV cameras and a big public relations splash.

In response to viewers' questions about the progress of the project, we provide the following report:

The big guillotine breaker has been refurbished and sits waiting to go to work.  Other than for tests, no runway concrete has been broken since the much publicized ceremony.

The city of Irvine is processing a conditional use permit required before concrete recycling begins. There is no point in breaking concrete before it can be recycled into the building material that Lennar will start using next year.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has thrown a wrinkle into the process, asking that the movable equipment be electrically operated rather than using diesel engines. Recycled Materials Company finds this impractical for equipment that must traverse the length of the runways.
 
There are hopes that the administrative details will be worked out and demolition will get underway in November . . . six months after the official celebration.

Click for a September 28 article in the Irvine World News that followed the publication of this website report.

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El Toro Info Site report, September 25, 2006
Website Message Board making changes

This website originated with its News page where you are reading this post. We subsequently added a Message Board so that viewers could post their comments. It was a forum for El Toro activists.

Times change and so must we.

With the passion of the El Toro Airport fight well behind us, there have been fewer posts to the Message Board on airport-relevant topics. Viewers have used the site to publish their opinions on national and local politics and other issues that are covered by other blogs and websites.

Increasingly, robots scanning the Internet for places to attach links to their sponsoring website have filled the Board with junk. That has created housekeeping work for the website team to remove hundreds of spam posts.

We are going back to our origins. We are temporarily restricting outside access to the Board. We may eventually discontinue it if we find it no longer essential to our mission of spreading solid information on airport and transportation topics.

We hope that you will continue to visit this News page for the information that justifies our continued operation – full coverage of the news about Southern California commercial airports, reports on aviation demand and insights into transportation alternatives. No other website or traditional media outlet comes close to covering the subject.

Send your comments regarding this change to editor@eltoroairport.org

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Orange County Business Journal, September 25, 2006
"Tustin Officials Glad to Be Under Way at Former Base"

"Tustin Mayor Doug Davert says he’s happy to have a jump on Irvine when it comes to redeveloping his city’s former Marine base."

“'We’re glad that we’ve got things moving forward before the market softens,' Davert said during a tour of the 1,500-acre site earlier this month."

"Large parts of the Tustin Legacy project at the former Marine helicopter base are moving ahead. The first 560 homes built on the edge of the base by Newport Beach’s John Laing Homes are just about done and sold."

"Construction of a shopping center, The District at Tustin Legacy, is under way with stores set to open in spring."

"By contrast, the final development plan for El Toro, the 3,700-acre former base in Irvine, still is being refined. Homes at El Toro, including some possible condominium towers, are a few years away."

Website Editor: Lennar plans to start selling houses at El Toro in 2008. The sports facilities that comprise the first phase of the Great Park are forecasted to open in 2009, approximately a year behind a schedule published last year.

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Aviation Watch, posted September 23, 2006
"March JPC votes for passenger service"

"At the regular meeting of the March Joint Powers Commission (JPC) on September 20, 2006, the March JPC voted to keep the door open for passenger service at March Joint Use Airport. There is presently a cap on civilian operations at March of 21,001 annual operations through the year 2010 and international cargo carrier DHL is presently using approximately 5,000 of the civilian operations. The military flies approximately 49,000 annual operations. Each operation consists of a take off or a landing."

"The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) had told March earlier this year that March should have 8 million air passengers (MAP) annually in order to share the need for more passenger operations regionally."

"The March JPC considered three options. One option would have been to refuse to have any passenger service at March. The second option would have been to maintain a neutral position on passenger service. The JPC chose the third option, which was to support passenger service at March, with a limit on the number of operations closer to the 2 MAP that was originally envisioned at March."

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Wall St. Journal, September 23, 2006
"After Engine Blew, Deciding to Fly On 'As Far as We Can'"

"A few seconds after a fully loaded British Airways 747 took off from Los Angeles on its way to London last year, one of its four engines erupted in a spectacular nighttime burst of flame."

"The fire burned out quickly, but the controversy has continued to smolder."

"An air-traffic controller watching the runways radioed a warning to British Airways Flight 268 and assumed the plane would quickly turn around. To controllers' surprise, the pilots checked with their company and then flew on, hoping to 'get as far as we can,' as the captain told the control tower. The jumbo jet ultimately traveled more than 5,000 miles with a dead engine before making an emergency landing in Manchester, England, as the crew worried about running out of fuel."

More . . . 

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CNN.com, September 22, 2006 - updated
MAGLEV "Magnetic train crashes on test run"

"At least 21 people were killed when high-speed magnetic levitation train crashed Friday on a test run in northwestern Germany, officials said."

"An undetermined number of people were injured when the train collided with a repair wagon accidentally parked on the tracks, said Emsland County spokesman Dieter Sturm."

"A total of 29 people, most of them engineers, were on board during the testing of the magnetic levitation train, which can travel up to 280 miles (450 kilometers) per hour."

"The Transrapid is a high-speed system which uses magnetic levitation on a special track. The only operational use of the system is as a high speed shuttle to Shanghai airport from the city centre."

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El Toro Info Site report, September 22, 2006
“Growing Pains: Airport Expansion and Land Use Compatibility Planning in California”

This week, California Senator Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego, released the above report that she had requested in connection with a review of the structure of the San Diego Regional Airport Authority.

The report deals heavily with issues of airport governance and says:

Click here for the full 143 page document.

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San Bernardino Sun, September 20, 2006 - updated September 21
“Flights at SBIA would attract new businesses”

“Passenger service at the [San Bernardino International Airport] would likely spur the development of office buildings and hotels. But more importantly to area residents, it would mean having the option of catching a plane with few commuting hassles.”

“Mayor Pat Morris on Tuesday said that the prospect of passenger service at San Bernardino International Airport could be less than two years away. However, there are no ongoing discussions with major passenger airlines.”

“Airport planners have long thought SBIA could have a passenger-service role in the congested Southern California aviation scene. HNTB, an airport consulting firm, predicts that 1 million passengers would go through San Bernardino International Airport by 2013 and 2 million by 2023.”

Website Editor: SBIA is the former Norton Air Force Base. SCAG's most recent passenger projection for the airport is up to 8.7 MAP in 2030.

“[Some envision] passenger traffic filling up at Los Angeles International, then moving to Ontario International and finally migrating to SBIA when the Ontario airport is full.”

“San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa [recently] chatted about SBIA's future. . . . Morris said minutes after the meeting. ‘(Villaraigosa) is very interested and excited that our international airport is almost operational and welcomed the opening of a third runway to load and unload passengers at the east end of the Los Angeles Basin.’"

Click for two stories from the SB newspaper.

On September 21, the San Bernardino Sun reports "Success for SBIA not sealed - Some see passenger service being a long way off, if ever." 

"Just one day after a summit in Los Angeles between Mayor Pat Morris and his L.A. counterpart, Antonio Villaraigosa . . . elected leaders and regional experts in the Inland Empire joined the discourse. They raised questions of whether the mayors are pushing in the right direction." Several see SBIA with only an air cargo role or even non-aviation development.

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LA Times, September 19, 2006
"$503-Million Pact Awarded for LAX Work"

"The city's Airport Commission unanimously approved the largest single contract in Los Angeles history Monday, voting to award a $503-million deal to Clark Construction Group and McCarthy Building Cos. to overhaul the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX."

"The companies . . . will start refurbishing the 23-year-old terminal early next year. Up to 400 workers will be on the job at a time, as the building continues to be used." 

"The modernization effort, which is expected to total $723.5 million by the time it and related work are complete, will include new passenger paging, air conditioning and electrical systems, as well as elevators and escalators. Workers also will incorporate truck-sized explosives-detection machines into the building's underground baggage system."

"Commissioners expressed concern at Monday's meeting that airport staff members had reduced the amount of money in the contract to redo flooring and for interior finishes, including light fixtures, walls and ceilings, in the Bradley terminal. The panel agreed that the amount may have to be increased to upgrade the interior."

The Breeze notes that "The airlines themselves will cover most of the cost through the rents and fees they pay. The rest will come from federal grants, ticket revenue and concession rents."

Click for reports from the Times and Daily Breeze.

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El Toro Info Site report, September 19, 2006
JWA has another off month

John Wayne passenger traffic decreased by 1.9 percent in August compared to August 2005. It was the fourth month in a row when traffic lagged the same month in 2005.

The airport is off by 1.0 percent for the first eight months of the year. This is in marked contrast to a forecast that predicted a big increase in volume.

The number of air carrier flights remained unchanged for the year-to-date. Airport management planned it that way, rejecting a request by Southwest Airlines to add flights.

John Wayne is always the first airport in the region to post its results. The data may be a sign that air travel throughout the region this summer will be less than forecasted.

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Daily Breeze, September 17, 2006 - updated September 18
"LAX's Terminal Illness"

"State of the art when the '84 Olympics arrived, Bradley facility is awaiting a pricey face-lift."

"It's been 22 years since Mayor Bradley himself posed for the cameras in front of the gleaming new terminal with his arms outstretched in welcome. They have not been kind years, either, as growing crowds and the ever-changing demands of air travel have wiped away that one-time luster."

"Airport commissioners are scheduled to vote Monday on a contract worth more than half a billion dollars to renovate the aging terminal. If approved, it will be one of the most expensive and complicated projects ever undertaken by the city."

Click for more of the Daily Breeze article . . .

Click for the Times report of September 18 . . .

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Long Beach Press Telegram, September 15, 2006 posted September 16
"More time needed for for talks on L.B. Airport"

"All sides say significant progress is being made in negotiations over proposed terminal improvements at Long Beach Airport, but the city is asking for a 60-day extension for the talks to ensure all issues can be addressed."

"The two-month extension, to Jan. 5, 2007, from the earlier deadline of Oct. 24, will allow both sides to consult with architects and airline tenants to answer questions about the potential size of a remodeled terminal."

"Earlier this summer, the council certified the EIR over the objections of residents and advocacy groups."

"A certified EIR is needed before the council can decide whether to build the terminal project, which calls for expanded terminal space, ticketing counters, hold rooms and concession areas."

Click for more . . .

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El Toro Info Site report, September 15, 2006
July passenger statistics show DFW third, LAX fourth busiest airports

For the first seven months of the year, Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport served 35,836,192 passengers topping its 2005 traffic by 3.6 percent. DFW is the third busiest airport in the nation so far this year.

For the same period, LAX served 35,791,619 passengers down 0.3 percent from 2005.

Unlike the Department of Transportation data posted below, figures collected by this website directly from the airports include enplaning and deplaning passengers on all carriers – U.S. and foreign.

LAX’s fall in the rankings comes as a result of millions of passengers deserting the airport for more user accessible airports in the region.

Somehow, we don’t think that $2.5 million spent on lighted pylons along Century Blvd. or even better food for those waiting for planes will change the situation very much. LAX planners are starting to look at much needed improvements in ways to get passengers to the airport, checked in and through security.

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El Toro Info Site report, September 14, 2006
Dept. of Transportation posts air travel data for first half of year

Department of Transportation data released today shows that U.S. air carriers served 0.9 percent more passengers in the six-month period ending June 30, 2006 than in the prior year.

International passenger enplanements were up 5.9 percent, traveling on 3.0 percent more flights.

Domestic passengers were up 0.2 percent on 5.6 fewer flights.

LAX was the nations 4th busiest airport overall for the six months. It dropped to 5th place in the nation in system domestic enplanements from 4th last year, behind Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas-Ft. Worth and Denver.

Click for the full DOT report.

The federal data includes only U.S. carriers. Information published by this website last month includes all airlines.

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El Toro Info Site report, September 13, 2006
San Diego airport traffic off in July

July passenger traffic at San Diego’s Lindbergh Field was off by 1.6 percent from the previous year. This closely mirrors the 1.7 percent drop recorded at the six airports making up the Southern California Association of Governments region.

San Diego traffic for the seven months ending July 31 was up by 0.8 percent whereas the SCAG region was down 0.2 percent for 2006 year to date.

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El Toro Info Site report, September 12, 2006
Miramar foes join forces

Two political action committees opposing the November 7 San Diego County ballot measure for a commercial airport at Miramar Air Station have merged.

“Taxpayers for Responsible Planning” and “Support Our Military – No on Miramar” are now a single committee called “No on Prop A.”

“Taxpayers for Responsible Planning” [no relative of the Orange County TRP] is primarily a grassroots organization.  “Support Our Military,” draws greater support from corporate and retired military circles.

Opponents of the Miramar commercial airport lack major financial support from airport area cities. ETRPA cities funded much of South Orange County's campaign against El Toro airport. El Segundo poured most of the money into efforts to block the expansion of LAX.

Without deep pockets to draw from, the San Diego County fight has David vs. Goliath characteristics. The pro-Miramar regional airport authority has $3.8 million of public money for its “outreach program.”

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El Toro Info Site report, September 11, 2006
The airport business has changed

Previous regional aviation demand forecasts, embodied in a series of SCAG projections, assumed that Palmdale airport will be needed, that El Toro airport will be needed, and that San Bernardino and March and Victorville will become significant passenger airports in the Inland Empire.

On the 5th anniversary of the 911 attacks, the airport business has changed.

Most of the focus is on the threats of terrorism and the resultant increase in the hassle factor in air travel. Man made disasters have pushed the prospects of a bird flu pandemic off the front pages but natural disasters such as the SARS epidemic of 2003, earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes all remain with us as threats to the forecasted linear growth in air travel.

According to a report in the Orlando Sentinel, airlines have slashed their number of [Florida] in-state flights by more than 40 percent as more people opt to drive. Reasons cited are long security lines, uncertainty of schedules, crowded planes, new carry on rules and the risks of lost luggage.

In California, the San Francisco Chronicle reports that “the passenger load [at San Francisco International] remains down about 10 percent from 2000 . . . and [business] travelers now often drive to their destinations or use e-mail or videoconferencing.”

The Business Travel Coalition, in a September 1 Industry Analysis, says “The distance most business travelers are willing to travel by car has roughly doubled [in the past 5 years] to 500 miles.

USA TODAY analysis shows that the number of domestic flights shorter than 400 miles is 25% below August 2001. Southern California, where roughly a third of all passengers fly to destinations within 400 miles, seems particularly vulnerable to these trends.

In San Diego, some analysts are questioning whether a new airport is needed if we manage existing capacity.

It looks increasingly likely that El Toro International will not be missed.

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El Toro Info Site report, September 11, 2006 - updated September 13
Irvine to reject Grand Jury recommendations on El Toro

Irvine joins the county in rejecting the allegations and recommendations of the Grand Jury regarding governance for the conversion of the former El Toro base to the Great Park. However, the spin is very different.

While the county claimed it never had control of the El Toro property, Irvine says, “Had the County of Orange wished to take responsibility for developing the Great Park in accordance with Measure W, it certainly could have done so. In that case, decisions regarding the governance structure for development of the Great Park would have been controlled by the Board of Supervisors.”

The city staff report, to be approved tomorrow night says, “However well-intentioned, the Grand Jury’s efforts have been diminished by the insufficient investigation and analysis underlying the report.”

The council also will take up the deal struck with Lennar to increase the number of homes that can be built and other changes in the development of the former base.

Click for the Register's report after the council meeting.

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El Toro Info Site report, September 10, 2006
Newport Beach control of JWA hits temporary snag

Newport Beach efforts to gain greater control over the future of John Wayne airport as part of a so-called “Spheres agreement” encountered further delay this week.

A draft agreement to be presented to the county was agendized for Monday’s City Council meeting and then was pulled with the following brief staff report:


The city’s efforts - to acquire veto power over the physical expansion of the airport and its runways - have been pursued for three years. See our summary of the negotiations.  Even though caps on airport utilization are in place until 2015, Newport is anxious to pin down a permanent deal with the current board of supervisors.

City efforts to gain control over the airport have received little attention other than from the Daily Pilot or outside of Newport Beach where it is the #1 priority.

In our view, any loss of the airport’s future potential is a major issue with possibly serious consequences for Orange County’s economy and traveling public. The “Spheres issues” merit full public discussion before the county proceeds any further with these negotiations.

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LA Times, September 9, 2006
"LAX Launches Remote Check-In"

"Instead of hauling bags, strollers, skis and other items through long lines at ticket counters to check them on airplanes, LAX passengers will be able to drop off luggage and obtain boarding passes at locations throughout the city, under a program announced Friday."

"Officials hope that the program will revolutionize how passengers use Los Angeles International Airport and will eliminate an inconvenience for travelers and decrease the security risk presented by long lines at ticket counters and at skycap stands. Experts have long said travelers in these lines are vulnerable to a luggage or car bomb attack."

"The remote baggage check-in program began Friday at the Van Nuys FlyAway park-and-ride in the San Fernando Valley. At a counter near the terminal entrance, passengers can check up to two bags and obtain a boarding pass for a $5 per-person fee. They then board a bus for LAX, where they go straight to the security checkpoint."

"The service will be launched this month at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the Union Station FlyAway and the Port of Los Angeles cruise ship terminal. Officials hope to install remote baggage check-in at airport parking lots, hotels and rental car facilities. They will also incorporate it in new FlyAway facilities being planned throughout Southern California."  More . . .

Website Editor: One more good reason for county officials to work on FlyAway service from Orange County.

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El Toro Info Site report, September 8, 2006
Newport Beach continues push for control of JWA

Monday, the Newport Beach City Council will vote on a proposed agreement with the county regarding restrictions on the future growth of John Wayne Airport. The as yet unpublished deal sought by the city is item 24 on the agenda. The airport is cloaked in a package of "spheres issues".


The item was continued from the council's August meeting to allow more time for changes and to gain support from county supervisors.

This website takes the position that it is premature and unwise for the county to enter into any agreement with this one city that limits the ability of future supervisors or county voters to serve Orange County's aviation needs.

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LA Times, September 7, 2006 - updated September 8
"LAX to Open Up Concession Contracts in Hopes That Sales Will Soar"

"With millions of dollars in food and retail concessions up for grabs, officials will debate today how to make shopping at Los Angeles International Airport live up to the city's reputation as a world-class consumption capital."

"The Airport Commission is expected to ask companies to submit bids to operate 51 shops and restaurants."

"Lobbying of city officials by companies vying for the lucrative contracts already has begun in earnest."

"Much is at stake for the city of Los Angeles. . . In the 2005 fiscal year, concessions constituted 25% of the airport agency's nearly $485-million operating revenue."

"In 2005, 21 airports surpassed LAX in sales per departing passenger at food and retail outlets."

Click for more in the September 7 Times report.

The Times reports on September 8 that the commission "deferred a decision . . . after hearing from multiple speakers representing retail and food shops." 

"Joining airports the world over, officials decided Thursday to allow advertising in terminals at Los Angeles and Ontario international airports."

"The Airport Commission voted unanimously to give a six-year contract to JCDecaux to install 365 advertising displays at LAX and 31 at Ontario. The deal is expected to bring up to $80 million to the city's airport agency over the life of the contract."

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Irvine World News, September 7, 2006
"Revised plans for the Great Park could impact development there."

"If a zoning change is approved by the [Irvine] City Council on Tuesday, it will have huge effects. . . A deal could be reached between the city and the Lennar Corp. for how the Great Park is developed."

"Now, because of several reasons, Lennar wants to add more homes and will give money, land, a shuttle system and a golf course to the city to get the zoning for those homes."

"The Lennar Corp. could build 5,875 more dwellings – bringing the total from 3,625 to 9,500. The company would drop 1.6 million square feet of commercial and industrial development, about 30 percent of the original plan."

"The Great Park would gain 402 acres."

The deal provides "$200 million in a loan to the Great Park Corp. from Lennar so more money is available for initial park costs."

"Lennar would construct, operate and maintain a shuttle system for the park and Lennar areas. The shuttle would be operational when the park opens, and would serve as an interim system until a more comprehensive transportation system is built."

"Lennar would act as the development coordinator for the public park’s construction – working with the Great Park Corp. and the city. Lennar would provide all services at cost." Click for more. . .

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El Toro Info Site report, September 6, 2006
International travel at LAX has a setback

International travel suffered from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks but LAX gradually recovered. In January-July of 2005 LAX served 10,223,896 international travelers – breaking the record set during the same seven month period in 2001.

However, the welcome comeback didn’t last. Travel through July this year was down 1.8 percent from last year, falling back below the 2001 level.

With the intrusive security procedures added in August, the near term outlook is uncertain for a pick up in foreign travel.

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El Toro Info Site report, September 5, 2006
SoCal summer air traffic falling short of press hype

The print media describes a "busy" summer at Southern California airports. The data for June and July tells a different story. We will withhold judgment until the numbers are available for August but the summer was off to a lack luster start.

Total air traffic for the six airports in the region (including Palm Springs) was down slightly in May 2006 - including the Memorial Day Weekend - versus the same month in 2005. It also was down a bit in June versus last June and down again in July.
 
Burbank is the only major airport bucking the trend. Palm Springs also is doing well.

Long Beach officials haven't made rosey public predicitions. The airport served fewer passengers every single month this year than in the same month in 2005. When American pulled out of LGB it took the wind out of the airport's sails. It also pushed tens of thousands of passengers to John Wayne and LAX to help keep their volume from slipping further.

The following table lists July and year-to-date passenger totals.
       

Airport	July 2006	July 2005	YTD 2006	YTD 2005
LAX	5,919,706	5,993,432	35,791,619	35,891,665
SNA	876,431	898,521	5,566,914	5,615,283
BUR	505,702	498,248	3,268,556	3,092,193
ONT	636,910	672,081	4,103,902	4,150,715
LGB	262,165	292,740	1,637,104	1,791,512
PSP	69,897	59,902	974,739	905,215
TOTAL	8,270,811	8,414,924	51,342,834	51,446,583

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Aero-News.Net, September 4, 2006
"Airline Fares Likely To Climb On Terror Fears"

"The War Risk Insurance Program, a little known government-sponsored project that helped American air carriers resume their schedules after 9/11, is about to lapse. If it does, you will be paying more for your ticket and not because of the rising price of jet fuel."

"The program was scheduled to expire on August 31, but Maria Cino, acting U.S. Secretary of Transportation authorized an extension til the end of 2006."

"'It's very definite that if the airlines are forced to pay higher premiums, the cost is going to be reflected in higher fares to passengers,' said Shalem Massey, an aviation industry attorney based in California, to Newsday Magazine."

"Industry experts estimate that the average round-trip ticket price could increase up to $40. Others say the sky could be the limit."

Website Editor: Click for more about the program. What will that do to the rate of recovery in airline traffic?

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The Argonaut, August 31, 2006 posted September 2
"LAX grows under Specific Plan Study; 2 public meetings draw heavy criticism"

"Several of the proposed concept development goals of the LAX Specific Plan Study for Los Angeles International Airport by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) would increase the 'footprint' of LAX by building a new West Satellite Terminal and increasing capacity on airport access roads."

"When Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa ran for mayor, he signed a campaign pledge with the Alliance for a Regional Solution to Airport Congestion (ARSAC), pledging to keep LAX 'within existing facilities' and to work for regionalization of air traffic."

"The West Satellite Concourse . . . is now considered a 'green light' project that can be developed under the legal settlement with the Cities of El Segundo, Inglewood and Culver City, Alliance for a Regional Solution to Airport Congestion, the County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles, the City Council of Los Angeles, former mayor James Hahn, Los Angeles World Airports, the Board of Airport Commissioners of the City of Los Angeles and the California Coastal Commission."

"'We oppose the majority of all concepts considered that would expand LAX capacity, and after the legal agreement expires in 2020, LAX could increase the gate cap for terminals tremendously,' said Denny Schneider, vice president of the Alliance for a Regional Solution to Airport Congestion (ARSAC)."

Click for more in this detailed report from the Marina del Rey, Santa Monica, Westchester area local paper.

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El Toro Info Site report, September 1, 2006
Orbitz predicts a busy Labor Day weekend at LAX
LGB is down

The Orbitz Insider predicts that LAX will be the nation's second busiest airport - after Chicago's O'Hare - over the Labor Day Weekend and up from No. 7 on last year's list. The forecast is based on origin and destination ticket sales as of August 13 and excludes connecting traffic.

The Times says that this will be the busiest summer travel season at Los Angeles International Airport since Sept. 11, 2001. The Times reporter refers to LAX as "the world's fifth-busiest airport" though we report that Dallas-Ft. Worth took over that spot as of mid-year.

The Times also says "Facilities in Burbank, Santa Ana, Long Beach and Ontario predicted record crowds this summer."

We have not heard such an estimate out of Long Beach where traffic numbers for this year, through July, are down by 8.6 percent from 2005.  LGB experienced its slowest month of July since 2002, apparently wounded by American Airlines' desertion of the airport. More below.

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Click here for previous news stories