SMO: A Bad Habit the City Can't Break

October 2, 2025

Dear Editor

Who hasn’t tried to quit a bad habit? I’ll start after New Year’s. The date arrives, then slides.

That’s how Santa Monica has treated the airport since jets arrived in the 1960s. No matter how often officials promise closure, SMO is expanding instead of winding down.

Right now, staff are moving at lightning speed to sign permits and leases that would turn SMO into a busy commuter operation.

JSX wants to fly 30-seat aircraft designed for regional routes—up to six times a day—by marketing “charter” seats that function like scheduled airline service.

The City’s line is that its hands are tied. Are they? Or is this just another “we’ll quit later”? This is not business as usual. It is a major change in the use of Santa Monica Airport.

At this week’s Council meeting, City Manager Oliver Chi said “the City has no discretion when considering the JSX permit for charter operations at the Santa Monica Airport,” and almost in the same breath reaffirmed closure at midnight, December 31, 2028.

You don’t prepare for closure by expanding service.

Meanwhile, City Hall has:

• Signed airport leases without hard end dates.

• Failed to notify the FAA of a firm closure date.

• Deferred toxic site remediation.

• Pushed ahead without environmental review of expanded jet and helicopter activity.

• Refused to explain how roughly $20 million/year in lease revenue should support the transition to a Great Park.

The Airport Commission asked for more study. Staff brushed it aside. Residents launched petitions; JSX reportedly paid for a comment-gathering campaign. Sadly, it’s game on—again.

Santa Monica deserves honesty: you cannot “reaffirm closure” while simultaneously ramping up operations to the last month. Start the serious work now. The impacts could be as huge as these planes. Don’t set the clock back a decade.

It’s time to match action to words. Kick the habit. Slow down and conduct environmental and safety studies before allowing this major change in use.

Alan Levenson
Sunset Park