By Jorge Casuso
September 29, 2025 -- As the City prepares to negotiate a new lease with a charter air carrier on Tuesday, City officials "reaffirmed" Santa Monica's "unwavering commitment" to permanently close the Airport at the end of 2028.
The top level closed session negotiations between City Manager Oliver Chi and JSX Air CEO Alex Wilcox over the lease price and terms of payment were added to the City Council agenda on Friday, although the decision will not be made by the Council.
A fast-rising public charter air carrier, JSX filed an application this month to operate from Santa Monica Airport (SMO) using large turboprops with 30 seats that offer an alternative to major airlines.
The direct negotiations between the two parties' top officials come after the Airport Commission last week recommended that the City delay the approval of a proposed limited-term Commercial Operations Permit until further study, City officials said in a statement Friday.
"While the Commission’s recommendation is an important part of the review process," officials wrote, "the City will make a final determination on the permit application and lease in accordance with the Federal Consent Decree and established City law and procedures."
Under the 2017 Consent Decree with the FAA, the City can permanently close the Airport at midnight December 31, 2028 but must allow qualifying aviation uses "to operate under limited-term leases during the airport’s final years," officials said.
If approved, the proposed JSX permit and lease would expire in November 2028 and "require full compliance with City rules, including noise restrictions, hours of operation, and leasing policies," City officials said.
“Santa Monica Airport will close at the end of 2028, and nothing about this process with JSX Air changes that fact,” Chi said. “To reach closure, the City must comply with the Consent Decree."
JSX's application raised concerns about the "quiet expansion" of aviation uses "just as SMO should be winding down," according to an email from NO JETS, an anti-airport activist group,
"The JSX lease, if signed, would initiate scheduled-type passenger service at SMO -- a major shift in airport use only a few years before its planned closure," the email states.
Based on City staff reports, lease documents and official references reviewed by NO JETS, JSX is requesting approximately 23,960 square feet for a lobby, office and ramp and 45 parking spaces.
The company, which would have 10 employees at the airport, would operate up to 6 daily charter flights between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. on weekends.
In its statement Friday, the City said it "acknowledges the community’s concerns and is carefully weighing all issues as it prepares to make a final decision on the permit application and lease.
"In the meantime, the City remains focused on minimizing community impacts from airport operations and preparing for the transition to new community-serving park uses after 2028," City officials said.
In July, the City Council voted 6 to 1 to move ahead with a plan to convert 192 acres of airport land into a "Great Park" after SMO closes.