History
Built in 1940, Palmdale Airport was operated by the United States government, primarily as an emergency landing strip. In 1946 its operation was turned over to Los Angeles County for private use. In 1950, the airport was again taken over by the federal government for use in building and testing military aircraft, thus establishing operation of United States Air Force Plant 42.
From 1970 to 1983, the Los Angeles Department of Airports, now called Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), acquired approximately 17,750 acres (72 km2) of land east and south of the airport in unincorporated Los Angeles County to be developed into the future "Palmdale Intercontinental Airport," with the goal of providing a regional alternative to LAX. To date, LAWA has not developed its Palmdale airport land beyond that of a small commuter airport terminal serving only the Antelope Valley. In late 2008, the city of Palmdale expressed interest in assuming operations at Palmdale Airport, including management of the terminal, taxiways, and parking, from LAWA. In response, LAWA indicated that it was receptive to transferring the lease to Palmdale. Los Angeles still desires to retain the land it owns adjacent to Palmdale for eventual use as an airport. However, the city is currently exploring potential non-aviation uses for the land, including activities related to energy production.
After several airlines were unable to sustain flight operations at Palmdale, the terminal was remodeled and reopened in May 2007 to attract commercial carriers to the airport. But convincing airlines of the marketability of the airport without subsidies has been difficult. Although Palmdale Airport offers airline passengers a quicker ground transportation travel time from Sherman Oaks than the standard LAX airport car trip down the 405 freeway, it has not consistently provided the range of destinations that would convince passengers to consider it as an alternative to relieve the overcrowding at LAX and Bob Hope Airport in Burbank. While the communities surrounding LAX and Burbank do not want the added traffic volume and noise of additional flights, most Antelope Valley residents support expanding service at Palmdale Regional, due to the positive economic benefits that regular commercial service would provide.
In January 2007, subsidies valued at $4.6 million, with $2 million slated to underwrite losses incurred from providing airline service, were raised to restore commercial service to the airport. The incentive package included a $900,000 grant from the federal government given to the city of Palmdale to develop regional airport service.
In February 2007, the city of Palmdale and LAWA selected United Airlines to provide service between Palmdale and San Francisco International Airport. (The only other proposal was from Delta Air Lines to Salt Lake City). The SkyWest Airlines-operated United Express offered twice-daily, regional jet service beginning on June 7, 2007.
Between June 7 and December 31, 2007, the airport had served a total of 12,022 passengers, or approximately 58 passengers per day.
On September 3, 2008, the San Francisco service was increased from two 50-seat regional jets to four 30-seat turboprop flights per day. However, on its September 18 schedule update, United canceled all flights beginning December 7, 2008, the day after the expiration of the federal grant and exactly 18 months after the beginning of the PMD services.
LAWA is currently developing a master plan for Palmdale that will guide airport land use and development decisions through 2030.
Read more about this topic: LA/Palmdale Regional Airport
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