"Plan would boost John Wayne Airport traffic"

Wednesday, June 26, 2002

Plan would boost JWA traffic
But nighttime curfew would remain under a deal OKd by the county, Newport.
By JIM RADCLIFFE and DENNIS FOLEY
The Orange County (CA) Register


Jetliner traffic would grow at John Wayne Airport, but a night-flight curfew
would stay in place under a plan approved Tuesday by county and Newport
Beach officials.

It is still subject to being blocked by the airlines or the federal
government.

In separate meetings, county supervisors and Newport Beach council members
agreed to allow four new terminal gates, increase the cap on annual
travelers from 8.4 million to 9.8 million and approve 12 more daily
departures by a noisy model of jetliner.

The increased passengers and flights would be permitted as of Jan. 1.

Under the plan, the number of gates would go from 14 to 18. The new gates
would likely be added to the current two terminals. The new limits on
flights and passengers would last until 2015.

A curfew -- which prohibits departures at John Wayne between 10 p.m. and 7
a.m. -- would extend until 2021.

The unanimous votes would extend a 1985 federal-court settlement meant to
curb the amount of noise heard by residents beneath John Wayne's flight
paths.

Newport Beach sued the county to get the limits, along with the Airport
Working Group and Stop Polluting Our Newport. Now the former combatants
worked together.

"Now, we can lock arms and go to Washington as one," said Councilwoman Norma
Glover.

The Federal Aviation Administration no longer allows caps limiting air
travel -- but the John Wayne agreement was grandfathered in, and local
officials think they can legally extend it.

Officials said they are optimistic that John Wayne's cap -- set to expire
Dec. 31, 2005 -- will survive opposition from the FAA or the airlines.

Supervisor Todd Spitzer said the county must be ready to put up its legal
dukes.

"I am prepared to litigate," he said in warning potential opponents of the
agreement. "They won't settle this unless we are prepared to litigate."

Residents beneath the flight patterns are especially concerned about a spike
in the number of flights.

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