MEDIA ADVISORY
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s call to immediately cease operations at Whiteman Airport raises serious concerns about the future of an important community asset that supports jobs, local businesses, aviation services, and emergency response capabilities throughout the northeast San Fernando Valley.
Now, after years of opposing modernization and blocking the use of federal grants, Horvath is attempting to shift responsibility to the FAA and NTSB. The reality is that federal grants exist precisely to improve airport safety, infrastructure, and operations. Those resources should be welcomed, not blocked.
For several years, aviation stakeholders, community members, and Los Angeles County’s own Department of Public Works have supported pursuing federal Airport Improvement Program funding to modernize airport infrastructure and implement safety enhancements.
At a time when questions are being raised about airport safety, it is more important than ever to move forward with available modernization projects and safety improvements. Federal funding provides an opportunity to make meaningful investments that can benefit both airport users and the surrounding community.
Closing Whiteman Airport would have significant consequences, including impacts on local jobs, small businesses, aviation services, and regional transportation infrastructure. It would also affect a public asset that serves pilots, students, first responders, and supports public safety operations during brush fires and other emergencies.
The Whiteman Airport Coalition calls on Supervisor Horvath to put politics aside and follow the recommendations of her own public works professionals and allow long-delayed safety and modernization projects to move forward.
Public safety is advanced through investment and modernization, not through calls for closure.
Let Whiteman Airport receive its federal funding now.
