FAA Backs Expansion at John Wayne Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration has pledged to support an agreement for expansion of John Wayne Airport to serve 8.4 million passengers a year, even though the FAA believes the airport could be expanded further.

In a letter sent this week to airport officials, FAA chief counsel E. Tazewell Ellett said the agency will not attempt to block the agreement or use it as a basis for withholding federal airport improvement grants. The move represented a key concession by the FAA, after years of disputes with Orange County officials over their ability to limit airline operations at the airport.

The agreement, which can now be submitted for final approval to U.S. District Judge Terry Hatter Jr., contains provisions for limiting jet operations which are crucial to winning Newport Beach’s support for airport expansion, but contrary to the federal government’s push to open airports to as wide a use as possible.

“John Wayne Airport is an important part of the national system of airports and airways and must remain a vital and useful part of that system,” Ellett wrote.

“While we believe there are arguments that could be made for requiring an even greater expansion of service at the airport, we are willing to refrain from pressing those issues because of the positive aspects of implementation of the plan and settlement.”

The settlement agreement between Newport Beach and Orange County was reached after months of negotiation and years of litigation over the controversial issue of airport expansion. Under the agreement, total passengers will be limited to 4.75 million a year until a new terminal is built, and 8.4 million thereafter. Flights of the noisier jets now using John Wayne will be limited to 73 daily over the next 20 years.

“The ability of the county to proceed with long-planned airport improvements and commercial airline service increases at John Wayne Airport is of paramount importance. It is my belief that this settlement and the plan permit that progress while also protecting the airport’s neighbors,” Ellett said.

Support Carries Conditions

The FAA cautioned, however, that its support is contingent on no changes in the timing or details of the airport expansion plan. The agency also said it is reserving comment on how the airport’s daily departures are allocated among air carriers until a new allocation plan is developed.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Thomas F. Riley said he is ‘very, very pleased” with the FAA’s action, adding: “I think that the FAA in their comments are about as strong as I think you could hope for.”

If Newport Beach endorses the FAA’s letter--which the city is expected to do--the entire package could be submitted to the federal court as early as next week, said Deputy County Counsel Dan Didier.

Newport Beach will also be negotiating with the City of Irvine in an attempt to resolve Irvine’s concerns that the settlement will focus new attention on the possibility of making the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station a commercial airport site, a proposal strongly opposed by Irvine city officials and the Marine Corps.