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Santa Monica Airport Landing Fees to Soar, Include Local Light Aircraft
The Santa Monica City Council approved an increase in landing fees at the Santa Monica Airport Tuesday. The fees will more than double from $2.07 to $5.48 per 1,000 pounds of aircraft by Aug. 1. As part of the proposal, all aircraft based at the airport, including those owned by local flight schools, will be charged the fees. They are currently exempt. (santamonica.patch.com) Daha Fazlası...
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One would think that politicians would notice people are not forced to land only at The Santa Monica Airport, nor are they required to keep their business there. And while on paper this fee hike seems to be a great way to raise revenue, in reality fewer and fewer people are going to elect to use SMO as their transient / destination layover. Maybe instead, they should look at ways to attract more business to the facility instead of pushing potential revenue off on another airport.
Major problem being the locals hate SMO airport, and its stayed open only by order of the federal government. Raising landing fees in order to drive away traffic is a calculated ploy to reduce airport operations. Ultimately when the traffic dwindles, and the airport becomes an unjustifiable expense, not to mention a gateway of the evil 1%, they'll finally be able to make a case for closure, or just Meigs Field the place.
Correct answer! I grew up less than a mile from SMO, and got my PPL there in 1988. The local residents and government were trying to shut it down back then, and they will continue to try until the entire place is turned into condos, houses, and commercial property.
And then the idiot leftists will wonder why their business tax base dried up.
In the case of SMO the city is trying to force the closure of the airport. It's a Land grab.
Cui bono?
Funny thing I did a bit of reading and found that the Fed Land grant to the city for SMO said that the land could only be used as an airport and if the airport were to close the city would not gain ownership. The Federal Government would get it back. What kind of back door deal is the FAA working with the City and why now?
So the feds take it back, declare it surplus, and sell it to the most influential bidder. Ends up the same. Any way, thanks for the research'. I wouldn't have thought of it.
They'll still be broke! Its funny you never see a news article about raising landing fees being a success... The State of California has been raising taxes for decades, and now at em. Still broke, and always will be!