Air cargo ramp to be built soon

Michael DiGirolamo, director of airports operations for the Los Angeles City Department of Airports, said the work to accommodate air freight carriers is expected to cost $1.5 million - an amount equal to the department's annual operating budget for Palmdale Regional Airport.

Although no air freight companies presently operate out of Palmdale, DiGirolamo said the additional hard stand and related taxiway improvements will allow a growing need to be met. He said the department wants "a facility available as we are out marketing" to air cargo companies.

He said the project is now in the design phase, with groundbreaking expected in about six months. Under that schedule, the airport would be ready for heavier capacity jet air-freighters about this time next year. Currently, the ramps and taxiways at the Palmdale civilian terminal can handle stretched DC-8-73s and tri-jet Boeing 727s.

In the nearer future, some air cargo flights could begin flying in and out of Palmdale as early as this Christmas season, DiGirolamo said. He said the existing ramp at the Palmdale terminal could handle U.S. Mail air contractors.

Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford said DiGirolamo's revelation of the air cargo work comes as especially good news for the Antelope Valley, where the city and local organizations are working together to stimulate scheduled daily passenger service for Palmdale Regional.

The L.A. Department of Airports administers Palmdale Regional Airport at Air Force Plant 42 under a joint-use agreement with the military.

DiGirolamo's report on the air cargo construction plans came four months after Antelope Valley Regional Partnership members took a look at another airport report outlining key issues for developing the facility as identified by the partnership's Airport Strategy Group.

The conclusion last February was: Nothing substantial appears to be happening at Palmdale Regional Airport.

The following month, J.L. "Jack" Graham, chief of airport planning, told the Palmdale Regional Airport Advisory Council 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. But in contrast to DiGirolamo's report on Friday, Graham gave no estimate on when any or all of that might happen.

DiGirolamo did support Graham's comment that the department was exploring opportunities for commercial aircraft maintenance at Palmdale.

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.

DiGirolamo said Friday that his boss, Department of Airports Chief Executive Jack Driscoll, is scheduled to meet July 18 with the Antelope Valley Aerospace Consortium to discuss Plant 42's relationships with AV defense contractors.