Controversy Over El Toro Airport

Upon returning from Los Angeles International Airport after picking up my son, who had just returned from Hawaii, I couldn’t help but think how nice it will be once the El Toro airport is open to commercial flights.

One thing is certain: I will not miss that long ride to LAX. The next day, Feb. 20, I read The Times’ article “Empty Sky at Instant Airports” and laughed at a quote from David Fiscus, spokesman for the Air Transport Assn., which represents 22 airlines, who said, “We don’t see it as a need” in referring to a commercial airport at El Toro.

Maybe he doesn’t need it, but it will sure be used often by thousands of people like me who are sick and tired of that long trek to Los Angeles or the inflated prices to fly out of John Wayne Airport.

BONNIE OLSON

Newport Beach

* Living under the flight path of the Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro, I sympathize with the people of Newport Beach for what they have to endure.

I am a lifelong Orange County resident who can recall a time when the current John Wayne complex was a small municipal airport. How it evolved into its current configuration, I don’t know.

I do know that two wrongs do not make a right. I would not wish that noise and pollution upon anyone; and for Newport Beach to claim that South County wants to burden them with more noise and pollution is wrong. For all most of us care, they could close John Wayne.

ROGER PENNINGTON

Lake Forest