Palmdale Airport's big breakthrough

Editorial Focus: The cities of Los Angeles and Palmdale last Friday pledged to launch a high-profile, aggressive marketing effort to develop passenger and cargo operations at Palmdale Regional Airport.

It was in June 1968 that the "Palmdale Intercontinental Airport" was promised by the city of Los Angeles.

On Friday, Oct. 1, officials in Los Angeles announced a major step toward meeting the growing demand for air passenger and cargo service in Northern Los Angeles County.

A "Cooperation Agreement" has been drafted for the cities of Los Angeles and Palmdale to develop and aggressively market Palmdale Regional Airport.

This breakthrough agreement is part of Los Angeles World Airports' (LAWA) commitment to finding regional solutions to meeting the Southland's increasing air transportation needs.

Provisions of the drafted Palmdale agreement were jointly unveiled Friday by Los Angeles Mayor Richard J. Riordan; Palmdale Mayor James Ledford; Los Angeles City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter (6th District, in which LAX lies); Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Jane Garvey; Judy Mikels, chairwoman of the Southern California Association of Governments Aviation Task Force and a member of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors; Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners President John J. Agoglia; and Los Angeles World Airports Interim Executive Director Lydia H. Kennard.

Also in attendance at the announcement were U.S. Air Force Plant 42 Lt. Col. Robert Catlin (the current PMD terminal uses Plant 42's runways); federal, state and local officials; and business executives.

In addition to Palmdale Airport, LAWA owns and operates two other commercial passenger airports at Los Angeles International (LAX) and Ontario International (ONT). Van Nuys Airport is operated by LAWA but is not used for commercial passenger flights.

Key provisions of the proposed Palmdale agreement include:

A commitment to market existing terminal facilities to commercial air carriers.

Development of new passenger and cargo facilities.

Creation of a Palmdale Working Group, representing various public and private agencies, to jointly address obstacles and to develop an action plan, as well as an investment strategy linked to elements of the Cooperation Agreement. Out of the working group, specific agency assignments will be made and target deadlines established to move the process forward.

Commitments to push for improving or constructing roadways, highways and high-speed rail to facilitate ground access for airport users.

The proposed agreement is expected to be formally approved by the City of Palmdale and Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners within 30 days.

"This agreement is a major milestone in my long-standing commitment to a regional solution," said Mayor Riordan. "With the City of Palmdale, we are putting a new piece of the regional air traffic puzzle into place.

"The airport can begin to take its rightful place in a regional system that continues to fuel tremendous economic growth and vitality in Southern California."

To date, LAWA has spent an estimated $5 million in improvements to runways and for a cargo ramp at Palmdale Airport. LAWA officials said they are prepared to grant easements for land valued at nearly $12 million to make possible improved ground access to the airport.

FAA Administrator Jane Garvey praised both cities for their cooperative spirit in seeking a regional solution that supports the growing air traffic demands.

It's estimated that future passenger use could reach four million annual passengers by 2010 and seven million by 2020.

Palmdale Mayor Ledford said, "Los Angeles and Palmdale have forged an exciting new alliance that will have multiple benefits beyond the Antelope Valley and our well-established aerospace industry."

"We look forward to playing an increasingly significant role in Southern California's expanding air transportation economy - providing new jobs and opportunities for residents of north Los Angeles County," Ledford said.

Oct. 1, 1999, just may be the day we've been waiting for since June 1968.