L.A. best friend for AV airport

That was the message Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford delivered Tuesday when he spoke to the Palmdale Regional Airport Council. The group hopes to bring a Burbank-like passenger service airport to the Antelope Valley.

"We've had some exciting developments," Ledford said, referring to the Oct. 1 announcement he and Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan made about a new partnership between L.A. and Palmdale to promote the Antelope Valley as an alternative to crowded Los Angeles International Airport.

Through Los Angeles World Airports, the city of Los Angeles runs Los Angeles International as well as airports in Van Nuys, Ontario and Palmdale.

Los Angeles World Airports owns 17,500 acres of raw desert immediately east of Air Force Plant 42, and has intended since the mid-1960s to develop it as an international airport.

But because Air Force Plant 42 already had runways and taxiways in place, L.A. signed a joint-use agreement with the U.S. Air Force in 1967 to run flights from Plant 42 until passenger demand called for development of the other land. That day never came.

The 32-year-old agreement still allows Los Angeles World Airports up to 50 operations - or a total of 25 arrivals and departures every day - from Air Force Plant 42.

"We could talk today of an international airport, but today we have nothing," Ledford said. Passenger service is not currently offered from Palmdale. "You've got to crawl before you walk, and walk before you run," Ledford said.

Ledford said last year's dedication of two new passenger terminals at Ontario International Airport are proof that Los Angeles World Airports has the clout to develop an airfield.

That Los Angeles World Airports can make a project happen is the reason Palmdale won't officially oppose an expansion plan now proposed for LAX. Ledford said it would be politically unwise.

"We need this relationship," he said. "We have always believed we will be part of the mitigation of any LAX growth."

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter, whose 6th District butts up against LAX, has long opposed expansion of that airport, instead suggesting new flights be steered toward Palmdale.

Last week, Galanter asked the City Council to require a timeline be implemented for development of Palmdale Regional Airport. Ledford said he'd like to see some concrete plans as well.

"We want to see an aggressive timetable," he said. "And our strongest ally is Los Angeles World Airports."

Ledford cautioned those in attendance not to view Los Angeles World Airports as an adversary.

But some of the group's longtime members, like Larry Chimbole of Llano, scoffed at the idea that Los Angeles World Airports could ever be a friend to the Antelope Valley.

Chimbole, former mayor of Palmdale and once a member of the state Assembly, often refers to what he considers promises Los Angeles made in the 1960s to develop the full-fledged Palmdale International Airport.

"I want to remind people to keep their commitments," Chimbole said.

But in a motion of support for the progress Ledford has made, Chimbole said this:

"I urge you all to support the expansion or whatever needs to be done at LAX; I also ask you to support Mayor Ledford and the city of Palmdale to bring the airport we always dreamed about to the Antelope Valley."