Palmdale Airport Renamed

The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners on Monday approved changing the name of Palmdale Airport to LA/Palmdale Regional Airport. Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford called it a minor change but one with a maximum impact. “Adding LA to the Palmdale airport conveys locally that there is a larger regional system for air transportation, better identifies the size of the Los Angeles region, and creates better linkage between Palmdale and the Los Angeles basin,” Ledford said in a statement. The airport is located on 60 acres of land in the northeast part of the city and features a 9,000-square foot facility capable of handling up to 300,000 passengers annually. The city has had little luck in attracting an airline to provide passenger service out of Palmdale. The last attempt by Scenic Airways lasted just over a year. In November, the LAWA board issued a request for proposal to start air service starting in 2007. The request invites all U.S. commercial airlines providing scheduled service to submit a proposal outlining possible service. Proposals will address aircraft type, number of daily departures, destination hub, connecting market opportunities, and marketing and promotion strategies. LAWA, the city of Palmdale and Los Angeles County have also pooled money to fund a $2.05 million revenue guarantee agreement to mitigate the business risk an airline faces in entering a new, unproven market. The project has also received a $900,000 federal grant. Palmdale, LAWA and other partners are also providing $2.56 million in contributions, including terminal rent abatements, advertising, marketing, promotional support and staff time.