Members revive airport advisory council

After a two-year hiatus, members of the 30-year-old Palmdale Regional Airport Advisory Council met Thursday and voted to reorganize after deciding there is a need to resurrect the citizens' group.

The meeting was called by interim President Howard Brooks, executive director of the Antelope Valley Board of Trade.

Two major items dominated the agenda: the question "Should the group disband?" and an announcement by Assemblyman George Runner that he has introduced a bill that could save airlines operating from Palmdale Airport $250,000 or more per year.

Saying "we've got to create an enticement to bring carriers here," Runner explained how Assembly Bill 243 would save airlines or air cargo services from paying a statewide 2 cents per gallon jet fuel tax when operating within enterprise zones.

That 2 cents tax is above the sales tax the state charges and goes directly to the state's general fund.

While few airports in the state are within enterprise zones, Palmdale Airport and Gen. William J. Fox Airfield would make aircraft companies eligible to receive the tax break if Runner's bill passes.

Another airport within an enterprise zone is Oakland Airport, where even operators across the bay at overcrowded San Francisco International Airport support an increase in air traffic to relieve the San Francisco burden.

Oakland's inclusion in the exemption, Runner said, may get Bay Area legislators to support his bill.

Runner's bill and the revival of the advisory committee come during a fierce political debate over whether to expand Los Angeles International Airport.

Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan and Los Angeles World Airports - which owns and operates several airports in the region, including LAX and Palmdale - have put forth a plan to expand LAX without adding a runway.

According to Southwest Airlines, which flies mainly Boeing 737s, one of their craft uses about 900 gallons of fuel per hour.

Using figures from a marketing study ordered by county Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich that show the demographics of the area could generate about 20 flights per day out of Palmdale, the 2 cents per gallon tax break would be a significant savings in the long haul, amounting to roughly $250,000 per year.

About a dozen people attended the advisory committee reorganization meeting; all voted to restart the group. Those attending included some of the group's original members - notably Larry Chimbole, also one of the founders of Palmdale as a city, and Roger Persons, who runs Chapel of the Valley Mortuary. Also on hand was Palmdale City Councilman Rick Norris, who once headed the group.

"The support group needs to lead the support to push Palmdale as a regional airport," Norris said.

"The Air Force is not opposed to an airport here at Plant 42," said Lt. Col. Celeo Wright, Plant 42 installation commander.

Wright attended to ensure that committee members understood the joint use agreement between the Air Force and L.A. World Airports for flights in and out of Plant 42, home to the Palmdale airport.

The agreement allows for up to 50 commercial flights from the airport per day. An environmental analysis would be required to kick that number to 400, which would give Palmdale the same operating capacity as Burbank Airport.

"We're supportive, we always have been," Wright said.

According to Brandon Eaton, representing L.A. World Airports, the facility is ready and waiting for air passengers.

"Right now, without any modifications, the facility could handle 300,000 to 350,000 passengers per year," he said.

The problem, he said, is the public needs to be made aware of the Palmdale airport.

"The public doesn't know we're here," he said. "People don't realize that they could fly out of Palmdale."

Currently, two other groups are pushing for revival of the Palmdale Airport: the Palmdale Working Group, run by Mayor Jim Ledford; and another airport group organized by Antonovich, whose 5th District includes the Antelope Valley.

At Thursday's meeting, two groups were assigned to work on how to reorganize the advisory committee. Those groups are expected to meet and report during a committee meeting set for Thursday, March 15.

The time and location of that meeting will be announced later.

Opponents of LAX expansion have focused attention on diverting air traffic to outlying regional airports, such as Palmdale.

A draft environmental impact statement/environmental impact report outlining LAX expansion plans has gone into circulation for a 180-day public review period. It outlines the findings of a five-year effort to map out LAX expansion in preparation for growth in air traffic demand on the area.

Estimates show up to 157 million air passengers per year traveling in and out of the region by 2020. Currently, 67 million passengers fly in or out of LAX each year.

Kristin Nelson, a spokeswoman for Southwest Airlines, said the air carrier couldn't comment on the legislation until executives had time to review it.

But, "we think any breaks on fuel or operating costs as it relates to taxes would be great," she said.