Palmdale flying low, slow on LAX scope

But J.L. "Jack" Graham, chief of airport planning, told the Palmdale Regional Airport Advisory Council that the airport here will have a role in the big picture.

He said Palmdale Regional Airport's terminal could be doubled, a new taxiway built and a freight complex constructed. He gave no estimate on when any or all of that might happen.

Graham coupled those possibilities with potential opportunities for commercial aircraft maintenance.

Although Palmdale Regional Airport isn't included in the proposed master plan for expanding Los Angeles International Airport, Graham said Palmdale could factor into the equation under plan options to relocate two-thirds of the LAX maintenance facilities to make room for new terminal space.

He said possibilities for Palmdale to pick up some of that business could open, if the option is included in the master plan.

Other options for LAX expansion include adding two new runways and bulldozing houses, developing on sand dunes, or buying general-aviation Hawthorne Airport.

But don't expect miracles and don't expect much growth in the short term, said Michael DiGirolamo, Los Angeles Department of Airports director of airports operations.

While there has been an effort to let freight business representatives know what's available in Palmdale, growth has been flat and there isn't a lot of interest now, he said.

However, DiGirolamo said Palmdale hasn't lost business to the George, Norton, or March military air bases that have been closed in recent years.

In support of his contention that the L.A. Department of Airports is serious about Palmdale, Graham reminded listeners that $3.8 million is being pumped into runway refurbishment and radio-controlled lighting for night landings.

Additionally, he said about $400,000 is spent each year to maintain the Palmdale airport.

Further, he said, Department of Airport officials agreed in principle to take part in a market study with the airport council and the Antelope Valley Board of Trade.

Howard Brooks, Board of Trade executive director, asked the airport department to join in the effort to do a study of who would use airline services if they were available, and use the study as a tool to bring business here.

The Department of Airports also reported plans to buy several remaining parcels to complete the block of more than 17,000 acres the airport department began buying in the late 1960s and early 1970s.