Local airport in frustrating holding pattern

Editorial Focus: The development of Palmdale Regional Airport - first announced in 1968 - is subject to further delays while Los Angeles concentrates on major expansion of LAX.

In what may have been just a fluke, for the first time in two years, air passenger traffic took a slight upturn in October. Providing scheduled flights is one lone airline, United Express, which connects passengers to other flights at Los Angeles International Airport.

The monthly total of airline passenger traffic increased 3.2%, compared with October, 1995.

For the first 10 months of 1996, however, the Palmdale passenger count was at 15,571 - a 1,832 drop from the 1995 period when 17,413 used the local facilities.

The newly released draft of the L.A. Department of Airports Master Plan gives short shrift to Palmdale.

In January, 1996, Los Angeles officials announced they are considering the idea of extending Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) into Santa Monica Bay to expand operations.

At that time, airport planners said a Palmdale Regional Airport is not a practical alternative without a super-speed train system connecting it to Los Angeles.

Two attempts to establish gambling casino flight packages - begun in midsummer - have been discontinued.

Harrah's Hotel and Casino used Eagle Jet for every other weekend flights until October, but then suspended the package deals. Harrah's officials told the Valley Press that they are re-evaluating their services before possibly restarting flights between Palmdale and Laughlin in 1997.

Flamingo Hilton Laughlin provided just two flight packages with Great American Airways last summer but Flamingo executives have indicated they are not likely to resume the package deals next year.

The Los Angeles Department of Airports operates the Palmdale facility on land leased from the Air Force.

Michael DeGirolamo, director of airport operations, said in September that landing air freight and passenger service for underused Palmdale Regional Airport is "a tough nut to crack . . . but we're going to try, and I'm pretty optimistic."

Ronald Kochevar, DOA airport manager for Palmdale and Van Nuys, reported that $12 million worth of improvements are planned for the local air terminal, which is located on land leased from Air Force Plant 42.

The terminal taxiway will be beefed up to handle aircraft up to 300,000 pounds - double the present 150,000-pound limit.

The project will provide additional runway and taxiway lighting that will make the airport capable of 24-hour operation with two fully lighted runways, he said.

In July, the Department of Airports canceled plans to dump L.A. City sewer sludge on a large portion of the 17,700 acres the department acquired several decades ago for the future airport.

On Wednesday, Dec. 11, the Orange County Board of Supervisors endorsed building an international airport at the 4,700-acre El Toro Marine Corps Air Station but dramatically scaled back its size to appease opponents.

The commercial airport proposal faces many obstacles. It would take many years to develop but it could eventually relieve some of the congestion at Los Angeles International Airport, which has served 58 million passengers this year. That scenario could further delay the development of Palmdale Airport.

The prospects for Palmdale Regional Airport growth in 1997 are dim, but local leaders as continuing to explore ways to increase utilization of the local field. We wish them well.