Business Jet Owners Sue L.A. Over Noise Regulations

A national trade group of business jet owners has sued the city of Los Angeles over its noise abatement rules for Van Nuys Airport, the nation’s busiest general aviation airport.

Several businesses at the airport joined in the suit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

The major point of contention is a rule, approved by the City Council and Airport Commission in April, that restricts use of some older, noisier aircraft, known as Stage 2 jets.

“There are hundreds and hundreds of Stage 2 business jets still in use in this country and around the world,” said Andrew Plump, a Washington-based lawyer representing the jet owners and businesses. “The regulations discriminate unfairly against the aircraft and their owners.”

Bret Lobner, senior counsel with the Los Angeles city attorney’s office, countered that the restrictions are legal and necessary. “There are economic impacts that result from this kind of regulation,” Lobner said. “On the other side, we have to address the issues of noise and its reduction for the communities in the San Fernando Valley.”