Noise Violations Prompt Airline to Suspend Flights
SunJet International, a charter company flying from Long Beach Airport, has announced it will suspend its flights to and from Seattle and Las Vegas while it searches for aircraft that meet the city’s noise regulations.
“We voluntarily decided to cut back operations,” said SunJet spokesman Hank Ernest. “We had 28 violations in September and the City Council was concerned.”
A charter company that contracts with airlines, SunJet said it cannot find another airline with available aircraft that meet the Long Beach noise regulations, the result of a 1995 noise lawsuit.
“I am happy they are aware of the problem they cause,” said Councilman Mike Donelon, who represents neighborhoods near the airport. “I am supportive of the airport but there are rules and regulations for any business.”
Donelon said the $300 fine per violation is so low that it is easy to incorporate it into the cost of doing business and that he would aggressively pursue higher fines for violators.
SunJet, with 118 noise-related violations since July 1995, is the most heavily fined airline operating at Long Beach Airport, Donelon said.
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