(May 7, 2005) -- LBReport.com has learned that Alaska Airlines, which has a long history of providing air carrier service at LB Airport, has told LB city management that it believes the current scope of LB's EIR effort is more than sufficient to meet terminal enhancement needs.
The carrier has said in writing that since the airport is subject to LB's Airport Noise Compatibility Ordinance, any renovation or modernization program must be done with full recognition that there's no need to provide increased capacity. Instead, any such project should focus on upgrading the airport's existing facilities, the carrier said.
Alaska has advised City Hall that while it supports the concept of an upgrade/modernization project, it believes any such project should be subject to strict fiscal scrutiny, particularly in view of the limits on airport capacity already in place.
Alaska said that in its opinion, before proceeding further on the existing upgrade proposal, the airport should seek input, understanding and agreement from airline tenants regarding deficiencies in current facilities, future needs of those tenants and details -- including costs -- of any proposed solutions.
The carrier said that if City Hall were to consider changing LB's noise ordinance restrictions [something current and former LB Councilmembers have unanimously said they don't support], in such circumstances it would seek an opportunity to review contemplated changes and possibly revisit its position.