Palmdale airport's role evolving slowly

But aside from the short-term problems, Palmdale is at least becoming a blip on the the Los Angeles Department of World Airports radar screen. Airport commissioners Tuesday amended a draft of the LAX Master Plan to include a more focused look at the facilities here.

How Palmdale figures into the long-term future of Los Angeles International Airport is changing, but officials are uncertain what shape Palmdale's role will take.

The immediate concern is replacing Palmdale's commuter airline, said Ron Kochevar, Palmdale Regional Airport manager.

"We are working really hard to get somebody up there. There will be a break in service because we won't be able to get a new carrier by April 23. However, we are working to get another carrier," Kockevar said.

TransStates is one commuter service interested in Palmdale, but the company's emergence here hinges on LAX creating a committed commuter airline terminal, he said.

TransStates feeds air travelers to three different major airlines and would be a good addition to the Antelope Valley, Kochevar said.

And from a one-paragraph mention in the draft LAX Master Plan in 1996, where it was anticipated that there would be less than 1% growth during the next 20 years, airport commissioners are taking a different tack.

Tuesday airport commissioners approved amendments to the draft LAX Master Plan that orders a deeper exploration into expansion opportunities at Palmdale Regional Airport.

Department of Airports officials were unavailable Tuesday to detail what the report will evaluate, but the agenda listed a look at improvements required to handle a potential growth in regional air traffic and air cargo.

Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford said he is working on transportation initiatives at the county, state and federal levels to make the airport more accessible from Freeway 14 and transform Palmdale into a transportation center.

"A focused study on Palmdale will plug in some of the infrastructure we are proposing, and what it would mean to LAX and what other roles Palmdale could play in growth management of LAX in maintenance and cargo," Ledford said.

The re-evaluation also is in part the work of Los Angeles Councilwoman Ruth Galanter. Galanter is an advocate of growing Palmdale and capping growth at LAX.

"She wants us to oppose the Master Plan, but we are asking her to champion not only Palmdale, but also the land dedication, high speed rail and infrastructure to put us in a position to help her," Ledford said.

The Palmdale mayor said nothing can be gained by fighting the LAX Master Plan. But if the Palmdale airport can be positioned to be part of the solution, rather than an additional problem, Los Angeles World Airports Director Jack Driscoll also could be an ally, Ledford said.