Santa Monica Airport Runway Shortening Delayed

SANTA MONICA, CA – A two-week temporary restraining order made by a U.S. District Court judge has halted the shortening of a runway at the Santa Monica Airport. The city had planned to start reducing the runway length from 4,973 to 3,500 feet Monday, a project that was supposed to be completed by the end of the year, according to Flying Magazine.

Santa Monica Municipal Airport neighbor Kate Scott and local pilot James Babinski filed an application for the temporary restraining order to prevent the project to start until their case against the city could be heard in court, according to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

The Santa Monica Airport Association, which both Scott and Babinski are members of, is one of many aviation groups fighting a consent decree reached by federal authorities and the City to close the airport by December 31, 2028 – reducing the runway length before then to decrease jet traffic, according to Santa Monica Lookout.

The City has until Friday to show why it shouldn't be stopped from shortening the runway, and then the plaintiffs have until the following Wednesday to file a reply, Santa Monica Lookout reported.

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