BOARD OF AIRPORT COMMISSIONERS ASKS FOR DUAL-TRACK PROCESS TO PHASE OUT NOISIEST AIRCRAFT AT VAN NUYS AIRPORT
(Los Angeles, California – July 17, 2006) The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners today directed Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) staff to move forward with two parallel approaches to phase out operations of Stage 2-type jets, the noisiest aircraft operating at Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
Stage 2 aircraft are primarily business/corporate jets. Their phase-out at VNY is one of the noise-control measures LAWA is considering under a Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 161 study currently underway at the airport. Today, the Board asked LAWA to pursue a second approach based on a 1990 Board resolution, which is to seek the phase-out under a "grandfather" clause provided for under federal law.
The 1990 resolution proposed a seven-year phase out, a provision that would have to be retained under the "grandfather" approach. Phase-out via the Part 161 process could possibly be faster.
Board President Alan Rothenberg said, "We should pursue both approaches simultaneously to ensure that we implement this important noise-control measure, if appropriate, in the fastest time-frame possible."
"I commend the Board for taking this initiative," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa. "I have long advocated the phase out of Stage 2 jets at Van Nuys, in a process that meets Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements and respects the needs of aircraft owners and operators."
The Board directive follows the September 2005 City Council approval of a land use master plan for the airport. Two council members representing surrounding areas noted their support for LAWA’s decision to pursue a dual-track approach.
"Valley constituents have repeatedly asked for assistance to eliminate the Stage 2 jets, which are the most disruptive to otherwise quiet neighborhoods," said Councilman Jack Weiss, who represents Council District 5, south of the airport. "I encourage the Board to pursue any and all options to reduce the noise impacts from noisy older jets."
"I've been committed to alleviating the noise impacts faced by those communities surrounding Van Nuys Airport and support phasing out Stage 2 jets -- major contributors to the noise burden," said Councilman Tony Cardenas of Council District 6, which includes the airport. "Modern technology is showing that you can fly quieter planes and this is a solution for Van Nuys which does not put the economics of the Los Angeles region at a disadvantage."
The "grandfather" and Part 161 approaches both require detailed analyses of the noise benefits and economic costs to airport users and airport-dependent businesses. These studies, and associated public notice and agency review processes, are expected to take several years to complete.
Van Nuys Airport’s Part 161 study is the first in the United States to attempt to implement multiple proposed noise and access restrictions. The study involves seven noise-control measures ranging from monetary fines for violating noise-abatement policies to a possible future cap or phase-out of helicopters at the airport.
