The City of Santa Monica has formally issued a Commercial Operations Permit and signed a three-year lease agreement allowing JSX to operate at Santa Monica Airport (SMO) through November 30, 2028. The move follows a rigorous technical and legal review by city staff and legal counsel, and comes as part of the city’s ongoing compliance with a 2017 federal consent decree requiring the closure of SMO by midnight on December 31, 2028.
Officials say the permit and lease do not alter that timeline — rather, they ensure that JSX’s operations meet all required safety, environmental, noise, traffic, and security standards during the remaining active years of the airport. The city emphasized that granting a permit to a qualified operator is required under federal law and its internal policies when such standards are met.
In its review, city authorities confirmed that JSX — which holds the necessary certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) — may safely operate its 30-seat ATR 42-600 aircraft at SMO. The airport’s 3,500-foot runway, combined with 300-foot safety areas at both ends, was judged adequate. Additionally, the city’s own Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) resources, staffed by trained personnel from the Santa Monica Fire Department, will continue providing emergency readiness.
Noise and environmental compliance were also key factors in the decision. According to city analysis, historical monitoring and noise modeling indicate that operations by JSX will keep Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) contours within the airport’s boundary, even during periods of higher activity. The permit requires JSX to adhere to the City’s 95 dBA SENEL noise limit, all applicable local environmental regulations, and the thresholds established by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). The City determined that no additional environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was necessary, as the agreement does not constitute a new project or expansion of use.
Security and traffic impacts were also reviewed. As a charter air carrier, JSX will operate under federal regulations — specifically 14 CFR Part 380 and 49 CFR Part 1544 — meaning it is required to meet Transportation Security Administration standards consistent with those of commercial airlines. City planners reviewed traffic and parking assumptions for the lease term and committed to monitoring access impacts for the duration of operations.
City officials reiterated that the decision to grant a permit to JSX aligns with both federal law and the City’s own Airport Leasing and Licensing Policy and Minimum Standards for Commercial Aeronautical Services. Because JSX met all these criteria, the city said it had no legal basis to deny the application.
Addressing the controversy created by those seeking the airport’s closure in 12/1/2029, the city says that the JSX lease represents not a shift in the city’s long-term plan — but a reaffirmation of its commitment to close Santa Monica Airport — while ensuring current operations proceed according to stringent safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
Author
About The Author
