Airport Commission Clears Van Nuys Construction Project

The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners has accepted a report finding that construction of a new fixed-based operation at Van Nuys Airport will not harm the environment. The commission’s unanimous vote on Nov. 16 means that Jet Aviation of America Inc. can move ahead with the project on the 17-acre site at 16644 Roscoe Blvd. The project would include a maintenance and repair facility operated by private aircraft manufacturer Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. Both Jet Aviation, based at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, and Gulfstream are subsidiaries of aerospace and defense firm General Dynamics Corp., in West Falls Church, Va. The initial study and negative declaration accepted by the commission evaluates environmental topics as outlined in the California Environmental Quality Act. “Based on the evaluation, (Los Angeles World Airport staff) determined that the proposed project will have a less than significant impact on the environment,” stated a staff report on the issue. Jet Aviation will build 132,900 square feet of new hangar, terminal and office space on the property and upgrade ramps and taxiways for use by heavier, larger business jets. A fixed-based operation sells fuel, provides hangar space and maintains and manages aircraft.