Antonovich pushes AV airport expansion

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, who represents the Antelope Valley, has asked the county to weigh in against the Santa Monica Bay plan. His motion was scheduled for consideration today, but a spokesman said it would be delayed to allow Antonovich and Palmdale Regional Airport supporters more time to plan strategy.

Antonovich is asking the board to send a letter to Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, Los Angeles City Council President John Ferraro and the city airport commission asking them to scrap Santa Monica Bay and instead expand in Palmdale.

Antonovich spokesman Peter Whittingham acknowledged the county has no authority over where to expand.

"It would be the official voice from the Board of Supervisors to all of them," he said.

The consulting firm Landrum and Brown Inc. recently suggested expanding Los Angeles International Airport into Santa Monica Bay, saying it would more than double the airport's annual economic benefits to $112 billion and add jobs.

Jack Driscoll, Los Angeles Department of Airports general manager, said it is one of several options being pursued.

The city of Los Angeles bought the Palmdale airport in 1968. United Express has daily service, and Gateway Airlines last year announced plans to begin direct flights daily between Palmdale and Las Vegas early this year.