AV must decide airport's destiny

Editorial Focus: We encourage Antelope Valley officials to move quickly to secure the region's future in commercial aviation by aggressively working for Palmdale Airport's full inclusion in Los Angeles Department of Airports master planning.

But long before reaching that juncture, Antelope Valley's leadership needs to decide which road to travel, and to create a clear map to the most desirable destinations en route.

Unfortunately, what should be a clear lane to the future in commercial aviation at Palmdale Regional Airport is crisscrossed with dead ends, switchbacks, side roads, circular paths and avenues to nowhere.

Some in our Valley are understandably bewildered by the maze of alternate routes and detours being offered, and conflicting advice on whether we should tread lightly or boldly in the quest for commercial aviation business at our airport.

The central confusion stems from mixed signals and misdirection coming from the Los Angeles Department of Airports and its ultimate boss, L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan.

The Department of Airports' track record in delivering on its promises in the Antelope Valley over nearly 30 years does not inspire high confidence.

June 13, for instance, a D.O.A. official told a gathering of Antelope Valley people that construction was to start in about six months on a $1.5 million, 5- to 10-acre reinforced concrete ramp to accommodate larger jet air freighters at Palmdale Regional Airport.

Groundbreaking on the hard stand and taxiway improvement was expected in about six months.

More than 10 months have passed and no ground has been broken, and no one in the city of Palmdale or at the airport has seen the plan.

Valley Press reporters are following up on the project, and we'll keep readers posted on developments.

Meanwhile, the city of Los Angeles is spending a reported $4 million-plus on public relations efforts to generate support and overcome opposition to the master plan for doubling the capacity of Los Angeles International Airport.

That master plan, needless to say, does not begin to address the role of either existing Palmdale Regional Airport at Air Force Plant 42, or the Department of Airports' 17,000-plus undeveloped acres east of Palmdale.

Many officials in the Antelope Valley are, perhaps, understandably torn in trying to decide how to deal with the mixed signals and ambiguous statements issuing from the D.O.A.

Some believe it is in the best interest of this Valley to work as harmoniously as possible with the city of L.A. during the master plan controversy swirling around LAX, and hope that Palmdale's airport development will benefit in the long run.

A few others share our view that the Antelope Valley must pursue its future boldly and aggressively, showing the Department of Airports both a carrot and a stick, and being prepared to use either or both as events dictate.

It's no secret that high-ranking Los Angeles city officials have been unwilling to even entertain discussions with city officials in the Antelope Valley.

Despite that evidence of disdain and neglect, some Valley officials worry about what might happen if the Antelope Valley takes on the Department of Airports' 900-pound gorilla.

Of greater concern, we believe, is what might happen if we don't.