D.C. Circuit Court Denies NBAA Injunction Santa Monica Moves Forward With Consent Decree Without Delay
May 5, 2017 10:21 AM
SANTA MONICA, CA — Yesterday, the D.C. Circuit Court denied the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) request for an injunction, which would have prevented implementation of the Consent Decree signed by the City and the U.S. Government regarding the future of Santa Monica Airport. The denial of the injunction allows continued implementation of the terms outlined in the Consent Decree, including shortening the runway by 1,500 feet from 5,000 to 3,500 feet. The City expects a 45% reduction in jet operations, primarily coming from the cut in corporate jet traffic.
"We are not surprised the NBAA and other aviation special interests will do almost anything to maintain the status quo at Santa Monica Airport. The Consent Decree may not be perfect, but it settled decades of legal disputes between the City of Santa Monica and the United States government. Everyone now knows that the airport can close forever after 2028,” said Mayor Ted Winterer. "We expected the D.C. Circuit Court to reject the injunction request. The City will continue to swiftly implement the terms of the Consent Decree, including shortening the runway, and mitigating health and safety impacts on our neighborhoods while the airport is in operation.”
Media Contact
Nelson Hernandez
Senior Advisor for Airport Affairs
Nelson.Hernandez@SMGOV.NET
Constance Farrell
Communications & Public Information Manager
Constance.Farrell@santamonica.gov