Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) in California closed to aircraft operations last week as planned as it finishes the changes necessary to shorten the 5,000-foot runway to 3,500 feet. The city has indicated that the closure will remain on schedule, with a reopening by the end of this week, said Alex Gertsen, the director of airports and ground infrastructure for NBAA.
Maintenance shops on the field worked to finish projects before the closure so aircraft did not remain idle there. At the same time, they pushed to bring in new projects so they could remain busy during the 10-day scheduled down period. “It’s been a challenge for them,” Gertsen said. Flight schools, meanwhile, relocated aircraft to Van Nuys and Hawthorne Airports to keep flying, he said, but added this has created “big expenses” for all involved.
Aviation representatives had asked for a credit on lease payments for the down period, but the city has denied that. Credits aren’t typically given for such cases, but Gertsen noted that airport closures usually involve an improvement that benefits the tenant. In this case “it’s not for the benefit of the tenants,” he said.
NBAA and other general aviation and airport advocates, including the Santa Monica Airport Association, have been watching the progress closely, Gertsen added. The work involves new markings, trenching to run power for new threshold lights and relocating the camera system for landing fees, among other modifications. The airport is taking advantage of the downtime to make a few improvements, including adding taxiway designations (there were none) and purchasing city navaids.
The runway-shortening project is considered an interim step as the city pushes to close the airport altogether by the end of 2028. Gertsen said most of the jet aircraft based at the airport have long since relocated, following difficulties with the city over lease renewals. Most of the remaining aircraft can operate from the shortened runway.
But the general aviation community remains optimistic that NBAA and airport advocates will prevail in their lawsuit to overturn an agreement the FAA struck with the city that paved the way for the runway shortening and ultimate closure of the airport.