Santa Monica Airport: A Sprawling Urban Aviation Hub

Santa Monica Airport (IATA: SMO, ICAO: KSMO, FAA LID: SMO) is a general aviation airport in Santa Monica, California, in the Greater Los Angeles area. The airport covers 215 acres of land and has been the subject of decades of legal battles and protests due to noise and pollution complaints from residents. As a result, the airport is scheduled to close at the end of 2028 and will be redeveloped into a park.

Santa Monica Airport covers 215 acres of land

The airport is scheduled to close at the end of 2028, with control of the land being returned to the City of Santa Monica and its residents. The closure will pave the way for the redevelopment of the site into parkland, recreational facilities, and other non-aviation uses. This decision comes after years of litigation and opposition from aviation interests and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), who argued that the airport must remain open to honour federal agreements dating back to World War II when the facility was used by the military.

The City of Santa Monica has long fought to shut down the airport, citing concerns over noise, safety, and pollution impacting nearby residential neighbourhoods. To address these issues, the city aggressively enforced one of the nation's most stringent noise ordinances, including a maximum noise level, curfew hours, and operational limitations. Despite these efforts, residents will be relieved to regain control of the land and repurpose it for community use.

The airport's closure will result in the loss of one of the nation's busiest general aviation airports, known for its popularity among celebrities and business leaders. Santa Monica Airport has also played a significant role in aviation history, with the Douglas Aircraft Company headquartered adjacent to the airport, manufacturing various commercial airliners and military aircraft during World War II.

It is one of the US's oldest airports

Santa Monica Airport, also known as Santa Monica Municipal Airport, is one of the oldest airports in the United States. It first opened on 15 April 1928, though some sources suggest it was used as a landing strip as early as 1917. During World War II, the airport was used by the military, and it played a significant role in aviation history.

The airport has a rich history, originally called Clover Field, a name that is preserved in the nearby Cloverfield Boulevard and the Cloverfield film series. It was once the site of the Army's 40th Division Aviation, 115th Observation Squadron. The Douglas Aircraft Company was headquartered next to Clover Field, and during the war, they manufactured thousands of military aircraft, including bombers and transports. The airport was cleverly disguised from the air with the construction of a false "town".

The airport has been the centre of numerous political battles and legal disputes over the years, with residents complaining about noise, pollution, and safety concerns. The city of Santa Monica has been fighting to shut down the airport, while aviation interests and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have opposed these efforts, citing federal agreements. The airport covers 215 acres (87 hectares) of land, making it highly desirable for development, and it has been the subject of ongoing debates between those who want to close it and those who want to keep it open.

Despite the controversies, Santa Monica Airport has been one of the world's foremost general aviation airports, once holding the title of the busiest single-runway airport globally. It is scheduled to close at the end of 2028, marking a significant change for the city and the aviation community.

The airport is surrounded by residential development

Santa Monica Airport (IATA: SMO, ICAO: KSMO, FAA LID: SMO) is located in Santa Monica, California, United States, in the Greater Los Angeles area. The airport is surrounded by residential development, and the City of Santa Monica enforces one of the most stringent noise ordinances in the nation. The airport's proximity to residential areas has led to community concerns regarding noise, pollution, and safety. In response, the city has implemented measures to reduce the impact of aircraft operations on the surrounding neighborhoods, including enforcing a maximum noise level, curfew hours, and operational limitations.

Santa Monica Airport is scheduled to close at the end of 2028, following decades of legal battles and protests. The closure will allow the city to redevelop the land, with plans to convert the site into a park and recreational facilities. The deal with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) resolves dozens of court cases between the city and the FAA, addressing concerns about the diversion of airport revenue to fund other city activities.

The airport covers a total of 215 acres (87 hectares) of land and is known for being one of the world's foremost general aviation airports. It has a history dating back to 1928, making it one of the oldest airports in the United States. During World War II, the airport was used by the military, and it played a significant role in aircraft manufacturing and distribution.

The closure of the airport will result in the reduction of jet traffic and charter operations, as the city is allowed to shorten the runway to 3,500 feet. This move aligns with the goals of community groups such as Community Against Santa Monica Airport Traffic and Airport2Park, who have advocated for reducing the impact of airport operations on the nearby residential areas.

The site is expected to undergo redevelopment, with a focus on creating green spaces and non-aviation uses. The transformation of the airport into a park will be a significant change for the community, providing recreational opportunities and addressing the long-standing concerns of residents regarding noise, pollution, and safety associated with airport operations.

It is scheduled to close at the end of 2028

Santa Monica Airport is scheduled to close at the end of 2028. The airport, which covers 215 acres of land, has been the subject of decades of legal battles and protests, with residents citing concerns about noise, safety, and pollution. The City of Santa Monica has aggressively enforced one of the most stringent noise ordinances in the nation, responding to community noise complaints and imposing fines or exclusions for violations. The airport's proximity to residential areas has also been a cause for concern, with groups such as Citizens Against Santa Monica Airport Traffic (CASMAT) and Sunset Park Anti-Airport, Inc. (SPAA) advocating for its closure.

In 2017, the City of Santa Monica reached an agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to close the airport at the end of 2028, ending years of litigation. The agreement allows the city to regain control of the airport land and decide how to utilize it. The city plans to turn the airport into a park, with recreational facilities and other non-aviation uses. This decision is in line with voter-approved Measure LC, which restricts development on the airport property to parks, public open spaces, and recreational facilities.

The process of converting the airport into a park is well underway, with the Santa Monica City Council approving an agreement with Sasaki Inc. in early 2024 to assess the site conditions, gather public input, and propose options for the future of the airport land. Sasaki Inc. is an interdisciplinary architecture, planning, landscape, and design firm that will lead the research and public outreach efforts in collaboration with the city. The project is known as the ""Airport Conversion Planning Project," and it aims to bring forth a preferred scenario to the City Council for approval.

The closure of the airport will mark the end of an era for Santa Monica, as the airport has been in operation since 1928, making it one of the oldest airports in the United States. While the airport has been a favorite of celebrities and business leaders, the city and its residents look forward to transforming the space into a community asset that aligns with their needs and priorities.

The site will be redeveloped into a park

Covering a total area of 215 acres, the Santa Monica Airport is scheduled to close at the end of 2028. The site will be redeveloped into a park, with the city council approving an agreement with Sasaki Inc. to assess existing site conditions, gather public input, and propose options for turning the airport into a "Great Park". The redevelopment plan includes a series of experiential zones that encourage interactivity and well-being. The scheme connects the two phases of park development via a pedestrian runway, inviting the surrounding neighbourhoods into the park.

The new park will feature a variety of fitness and recreational equipment, including ping pong tables, a communal yoga mat, TRX bars, poles for slack lining, and pickleball courts. The site planting will include native grass types and flowering shrubs to distinguish various program areas. Shade trees will be clustered with benches, seat walls, and work-out areas.

The process of redeveloping the airport site has involved extensive community engagement, with the city receiving nearly 2,000 survey responses and 250 comment cards during the first phase of community outreach. The community has provided valuable input and suggestions for the future of the airport site, with a focus on creating a great park. The third phase of the project is expected to launch in early 2025, with three potential scenarios identified and another opportunity for community feedback.

The closure of the airport and its transformation into a park represent a significant change for the city of Santa Monica. The airport, which has been in operation since 1928, has been a favourite of celebrities and business leaders. However, the city has been fighting to shut it down due to safety concerns, noise issues, and pollution from aircraft exhaust. The redevelopment of the site into a park will provide much-needed green space and recreational facilities for the residents of Santa Monica.

Frequently asked questions