Region’s Need for Airport Capacity

Re “Up in the Air Over Airport,” editorial, April 5:

Ontario International Airport is owned by Los Angeles World Airports and affiliated with the Los Angeles Department of Airports. To folks and businesses in the booming Inland Empire, Orange County and the San Gabriel Valley, LAX is, well, way over there on the other side of Los Angeles. Ontario airport is positioned for tremendous passenger and cargo expansion. Soon, 28 buildings will begin leasing to industrial and shipping tenants; Lockheed Martin vacated them to move out to the Antelope Valley. Less than a month ago, Ontario hosted its second annual cargo conference. It is becoming a major air freight player.

Passenger-handling facilities are lifting off. The Sept. 27 opening of two new terminals will more than triple present capacity from 2.5 million air travelers annually to 9 million, with a third terminal building planned that can add another 4 million.

I live in south Orange County and, frankly, I would rather go to Ontario than LAX any day. I agree the “region must pull together on crucial transportation issues.” Unfortunately, our developer-dominated Orange County politicians are hellbent to hook us and hock us with their own impractical mega-international airport scheme for El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. Instead of trying regionalism, they are ready to split this county in two.

GALAL KERNAHAN

Laguna Hills

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Unlike LAX’s 3,500 acres, Palmdale has 18,000 acres (owned by Los Angeles) and would serve the regional transit needs of those 3.5 million citizens who live in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, Antelope and parts of the San Gabriel valleys, along with our neighboring Ventura, Kern and San Bernardino counties. They would find it closer and conveniently accessible.

The need for this airport is vital for Los Angeles County’s economic growth. If the city of Los Angeles will not develop its 18,000 acres, then allow Palmdale, Lancaster and Los Angeles County to annex this site. It is time to move forward to provide for the regional transit and economic needs of our county’s 10 million citizens.

MICHAEL D. ANTONOVICH

Supervisor, 5th District