Flight Classifications and the McDonnell Douglas MD-80

Local newspapers have tended to describe the recent John Wayne Airport agreement as a cause for celebration and as a “compromise.” It was neither. The county won, hands down.

A number of Newport Beach homeowners are upset and outraged by the Newport Beach City Council’s decision. In my statement to the council opposing the agreement, I said:

“The approval of the airport agreement was not fair to Newport Beach residents and in the long run may well be seriously damaging to our city. . . .

“A passenger terminal of 337,000 square feet is the major objectionable feature of this agreement. Such a terminal is more than 10 times the size of the present terminal. The present terminal is admittedly too small and inadequate, but it is now already handling 55 flights a day. Do we really need a terminal more than 10 times that size?

“Which leads us to the real and basic question: once having invested in this massive, expensive terminal, will an additional airport really be built here in the county.

“In the absence of a second airport, the huge future passenger demand for flights--estimated to be several hundred flights per day--will necessarily use John Wayne.

“Don’t forget, there are no limits on flights over Newport Beach after 20 years.

“There is one additional major objection to the agreement. It opens the city to an unknown financial liability.

“The city has agreed to take the side of, and to defend the county against any pending or future litigation arising from this project. Such defense is at the City of Newport Beach’s expense!

“The decision to sign this agreement may well have been the most important one that a Newport Beach council has made in the past 20 years.”

DONALD A. STRAUSS

City Council member

Newport Beach