Chamber joins city as airport ally

Chamber President Sandy Corrales, speaking to members of the Palmdale Regional Airport Advisory Committee, said the chamber's membership and resources can be used to promote activity at the airport, which is operated but underutilized by the Los Angeles Department of Airports.

Corrales rattled off the airport's pluses - from the soon-to-begranted enterprise zone to the foreign trade zone, and from the future high-speed rail stop to the many acres of available, vacant land - and said the chamber's membership of 900 people can be mobilized to lobby for action.

She also suggested that the airport become marketed and promoted by Palmdale - when the time is right.

Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford said both the airport group and the chamber can play crucial roles in the airport's growth when city officials receive a current study and are ready to educate decision-makers.

City officials have begun a campaign to speak with each member of the Los Angeles City Council, explaining to them the merits of better utilizing facilities that are already available in Palmdale, he said.

Ledford envisions asking the airport coalition to help launch a massive letter-writing and educational campaign, but not before city officials complete an analysis of how the airport should grow and develop.

"We envision a more comprehensive plan than just adding another carrier," Ledford said.

Relieving airport congestion at Los Angeles International Airport - with minimal investment in new facilities, which are already available in Palmdale - is one of the key arguments that will be posed to L.A. officials, he said.

Rather than being mere supporters of the airport, the advisory board should be advocates, he said, adding he will explore such prospects with the group.

The advisory committee, whose members discussed its mission and its name during Wednesday's meeting, wants Los Angeles to utilize the airport better. To that end, the advisory group has invited Los Angeles airport officials to speak to them during its March 26 meeting.

Advisory committee members talked about changing the name of the group because, in fact, they are not an advisory group. Members agreed their role is to support the airport and the name should reflect that mission.

Howard Brooks, the Antelope Valley Board of Trade's executive director, said L.A.'s airports department shares that sentiment. L.A. officials are concerned about the name because the group doesn't have an advisory function, he said.