Decision to Hike SMO Landing Fees Delayed

The city's Airport Commission has postponed its decision on a proposal to  double the fees charged to planes that land at the Santa Monica Airport.

As part of the proposal, all aircraft based at the airport, including those owned by local flight schools, would also be charged the fees. They are currently exempt.

If approved, the fees would more than double from $2.07 to $5.48 per 1,000 pounds of aircraft.

At least one flight school owner believes the hike would be bad for business, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press.

"It means we have to pass that on to our customers, and most of us are barely hanging on," Joe Justice of Justice Aviation told the local newspaper.

The commission will take up the proposal again at its April 22 meeting. In the meantime, airport staffers will reach out the flight schools and other businesses and pilots who would be impacted.

The new revenue would help reduce the airport's reliance on city funding.

The airport is one of five city properties that generate their own revenue but still require subsidies from the city's general fund—a catchall account for services such as public safety, parks, and social services. A recent budget forecast found a growing deficit in the general fund would reach $15 million in the 2017-18 fiscal year.

The airport, along with the cemetery, pier, Civic Auditorium and housing funds, will need $6.6 million in general fund subsidies over the five-year budget forecast "in order to meet their operating and capital needs," according to city staffers.

The airport accounts for a small portion, $0.1 million. That figure does not include potential increases to the landing fees.

The commission's decision would be a recommendation to the City Council, which would give final approval.

In recommending the increase, airport staffers studied landing fees assessed at other public airports across the country. They found 58 with programs similar to what Santa Monica is proposing, including that they are located in "highly urbanized areas," have "active landing fee programs for general aviation aircraft" and charge the fees to aircraft based at the airport.

SEE ALSO:

Flight school fears higher landing fees at SMO [Santa Monica Daily Press]

Plane Mufflers Could Relieve Some Airport Neighbors