Airport Passenger Cap May Increase

A plan that would increase the number of passengers using John Wayne Airport and add two gates will be considered next week by the Board of Supervisors and Newport Beach City Council, officials said Wednesday.

A court settlement restricts the number of passengers at the airport to 8.4 million a year, but that cap was set to increase to 9.8 million Jan. 1. Under the proposed plan, the capacity would increase to 10.3 million passengers next year and 10.8 million passengers by 2011.

The settlement, which expires in 2005, ended a lawsuit brought by Newport Beach and others over noise complaints. The new proposal would extend the terms of the settlement to 2015.

Newport Beach Councilman Gary Proctor said Wednesday that officials hope the plan will satisfy the federal government and airlines while preserving the quality of life for residents who live near the airport. “This takes us out of harm’s way,” he said.

The FAA and a group of airlines have expressed preliminary support for the plan but have yet to formally adopt it, he said. Proctor hopes they will sign off on it by the end of the month.

The future of John Wayne Airport has been a hot topic since voters rejected plans to build a commercial airport at El Toro. Airlines have long called for more flights at John Wayne, a move opposed by local residents.