County renews airport support

SCAG's transportation and communications committee has promoted a plan that emphasizes flight expansion in outlying areas, including Palmdale, instead of further growth at Los Angeles International Airport.

SCAG's full Regional Council will consider the committee's plan April 1. County Supervisor Don Knabe, whose 4th District includes LAX, sponsored the motion to reiterate the county's position: Any air transportation plan should include a focus on regional airports.

But SCAG's opinion may not matter much, as it is Los Angeles World Airports that has decision-making power. LAWA and the city of Los Angeles own and operate four airports, including LAX and Palmdale Regional Airport. In its 13,000-page draft master plan, released earlier this year, LAWA seems to advocate further expansion of LAX and de-emphasize increasing traffic at regional airports.

"Basically, no one has any power over LAWA," said Knabe. "L.A. City and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) can do whatever they want, but they also have to be realistic. There are others that can make their lives miserable."

Knabe and Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, whose 5th District includes the Antelope Valley, have vocally opposed LAX expansion and supported regional air traffic growth.

County consultants say that Palmdale Regional Airport could support 26 jet flights and 18 commuter flights a day.

LAWA's draft master plan is in the middle of a 180-day public review period.