WEST LOS ANGELES, April 20, 2010 – Residents of West Los Angeles neighborhoods impacted by the increase in corporate jet traffic at the Santa Monica airport held a press conference and marched to the airport this Sunday. The 70 year old Santa Monica airport which was once a relatively quite airport for small single engine private planes has become the nation’s busiest small airport for large corporate jets in within a densely populated residential area. Long time West LA residents just East of the airport have watched the quality of their environment deteriorate to the point where toxic jet fumes are becoming life threatening for some.
Many of the home owners in the neighborhoods near the airport and under the flight path are retired and living on a fixed income so moving is not an option. Younger residents many who are recent first time home buyers with small children were not informed of the noise and toxic air generated by airport operation when they bought their homes. The problem is particularly acute for those living within a half mile East of the airport. A recent study by the UCLA Institute for the Environment shows ultra fine toxic particles in the air around the airport are 10 times higher than normal LA conditions. From the Newswire: West LA Community Fights to Stop Corporate Jets at Santa Monica Airport | | MP3 AUDIO: Speeches from the Shutdown Santa Monica Airport Rally
West LA Community Fights to Stop Corporate Jets at Santa Monica Airport