City Officials Emphasize Commitment to Long-Term Closure While Considering JSX Proposal

The City of Santa Monica reiterated its commitment to permanently close Santa Monica Airport at midnight on Dec. 31, 2028, in accordance with a 2017 federal consent decree with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The reaffirmation comes as city officials weigh a proposal from JSX Air to operate at the airport under a limited-term lease. Earlier this week, the Santa Monica Airport Commission recommended delaying approval of JSX’s permit application and lease so city staff can conduct a more detailed review of the company’s plans. While the commission’s input is part of the process, the final decision will be made by the city in line with the consent decree and local laws.

Under the agreement, the city must continue operating the airport through 2028 in compliance with federal regulations and general aviation standards. The consent decree also requires that qualifying aviation uses, such as JSX’s proposal, be allowed to operate under limited-term leases during the airport’s final years to maintain the city’s legal authority to close the facility on schedule.

If approved, JSX’s lease would end in November 2028, just before the planned closure. The agreement would also require the company to fully comply with all city rules, including noise restrictions, hours of operation, and leasing policies.

The Consent Decree requires the City to operate Santa Monica Airport through December 31, 2028, in compliance with certain federal laws, regulations, and general aviation airport standards. 

To safeguard the City’s authority to close the airport at the end of 2028, the Consent Decree requires that qualifying aviation uses – such as that proposed by JSX – be allowed to operate under limited-term leases during the airport’s final years. 

If approved, the proposed JSX permit and lease would expire in November 2028, before the airport’s closure date, and would require full compliance with City rules, including noise restrictions, hours of operation, and leasing policies.

“Santa Monica Airport will close at the end of 2028, and nothing about this process with JSX Air changes that fact,” said City Manager Oliver Chi. “To reach closure, the City must comply with the Consent Decree, which requires us to carefully review and allow qualifying aviation uses during the airport’s remaining years of operation.” 

City officials acknowledged public concerns about increased activity at the airport and emphasized that they are carefully evaluating the proposal. In the meantime, Santa Monica is continuing efforts to minimize the community impact of current airport operations while preparing for a major land-use transition after 2028, when the site will be redeveloped into community-serving park space.