FAA's Most Recent Forecast Sees Massive Increase in Passengers at Region's Airports

Posted on June 9, 2010 by Barbara E. Lichman, Ph.D.
The Federal Aviation Administration's most recent forecast of future airline passengers at the region's airports is an eye opener. In the forecast year 2030, FAA is projecting 49.3 million enplanements (98.6 million total passengers) at Los Angeles International Airport; 3 million enplanements (6 million total passengers) at Ontario International Airport; and 6.6 million enplanements (13.2 million air passengers) for John Wayne Airport. This compares to current figures for LAX of approximately 58 million air passengers a year; Ontario, 4.5 million air passengers a year; and John Wayne Airport, 9.8 million air passengers a year.

Of course, 2030 is 20 years away and much can happen between now and then. Therefore, the real eye opener is the comparatively low projected growth of Ontario. Despite the fact that Ontario has new terminals, runways thousands of feet longer than those at John Wayne Airport, and convenient freeway access to all of the Inland Empire as well as northeast Orange County, FAA does not expect it to grow more than 33%, compared to John Wayne Airport’s 38% and LAX’s whopping approximately 60%.

FAA may have pulled the trigger too quickly, however. On May 10, 2010, the Los Angeles City Council approved a motion to study the transfer of Ontario International Airport to the control of the City of Ontario (control that shifted to Los Angeles in 1967). As the City of Ontario has a strong interest in growth of Ontario International Airport as an economic engine for the currently economically moribund Inland Empire, the jury is still out as to whether Ontario will steal those passengers FAA now projects for LAX and John Wayne Airport. Stay tuned.
Tags: , , , , , , ,

Los Angeles City Council: Study Transfer of Ontario International Airport to City of Ontario

Posted on May 28, 2010 by Barbara E. Lichman, Ph.D.

On May 18, 2010, the Los Angeles City Council approved, by a 12-3 margin, a Motion calling for a study of the requirements for, and costs and benefits of, returning Ontario International Airport (“ONT”) to the control of the City of Ontario, California.

Passenger traffic at Ontario has declined from 7.2 Million Air Passengers in 2007 to 4.88 in 2009. Projected revenues for Fiscal Year 2011 have also declined from $78.6 million to $75.5 million. While projected costs have also been lowered to $67 million from the originally forecast $76.8 million, Los Angeles City Councilman Greg Smith’s Press Aide, Matt Meyerhoff expressed Councilman Smith’s view that Los Angeles is “looking to sell the airport and getting some money out of the deal.” The Study is due to be completed by September 1, 2010.

Tags: , , , ,

LAWA Proposes $647.6M Airports Budget for New Fiscal Year

Posted on May 21, 2010 by Barbara E. Lichman, Ph.D.

Los Angeles World Airports on Monday projected a $647.6 million operating budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, according to preliminary figures.  The operating budget covers day-to-day expenses at Los Angeles International Airport and the agency's smaller airports in Ontario and Van Nuys.  On its own, LAX's operating costs during the 2010 fiscal year are expected to increase 1.8 percent to $565 million, while revenue is projected to increase 5.8 percent to $705 million.  LA/Ontario International Airport is expected to see a 14.6 percent budget cut, while Van Nuys Airport will experience 10.9 percent in operating reductions, according to the proposed budget.  The Board of Airport Commissioners is expected to consider a final draft the LAWA's budget on June 7, said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of the airport agency.  Art Marroquin/Torrance Daily Breeze

Tags: , , , , ,