JSX ordered ATR turboprops and they would fly from Santa Monica. I wondered if this was just epic trolling. But it’s actually happening!
The city gets to close the airport in 3 years. Service will be controverial with the local activist community. And it requires an operating permit from the city – while it’s not clear this can be denied without breaching covenants of the agreement that lets them shut down the airport entirely, I figured it would take time. But they made their announcement in September, and they’re now selling tickets out of Santa Monica.
I guessed their first destination would be Las Vegas (with Oakland, Scottsdale and Napa plausible) and they’re going to offer daily Las Vegas flights starting December 19. I love this for the convenience of Santa Monica airport. Fares are being offered starting at $149 each way, which for the convenience of the airport and free checked bags and drinks, snacks and wifi plus first class-style seating seems like a great bargain.
- Santa Monica – Las Vegas, 5:30 pm – 645 pm
Las Vegas – Santa Monica, 11:45 am – 1:00 pm
Santa Monica Municipal has been the most successful in the country at fighting off air service. The city has been fighting for decades to limit and close the airport. Their noise restrictions and curfew rules (no engine starts or takeoffs 11 p.m. – 7 a.m. weekdays, until 8 a.m. weekends) are allowed since they are grandfathered under the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990.
They even managed to shorten the runway to just 3,500 feet with FAA sign‑off under a 2017 consent decree. And the city has the right to close the airport after Dec 31, 2028 under that decree (upheld by the D.C. Circuit).
The ATR‑42‑600 should be capable of operating there. They be able to operate under airport noise limits.
Back in September, JSX was clear that had ‘applied’ to offer service. Santa Monica requires any commercial flight activity to hold a City‑issued Operations Permit. The Airport Commission considers the application and it is approved, denied, or conditioned by the City Manager. I wondered how that process would go – on the one hand they’re very anti-air service. On the other hand they don’t want to do anything that runs afoul of their agreement to allow the airport to operate until they can close it! JSX confirms that the permit has been issued.
