Assemblymember Lieu Calls On FAA To Imediately Reduce Flights To LAX

Citing safety crisis, local lawmaker asks Federal Agency to immediately move flights to other regional airports and to increase the spacing between flights

Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) this week sent a sharply-worded letter to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) asking her to order an immediate reduction in the number of flights in and out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and to increase the spacing between flights, until all safety concerns have been addressed. 

Lieu, who is Chair of the Aerospace Select Committee and whose district encompasses LAX, cited 8 runway incursions and other safety incidents that have happened since 2007, including three safety incidents in the month of August.  In one of the incidents two jets missed colliding with each other by a mere 37 feet.

“The increase in the number of flights into and out of LAX has directly contributed to the safety crisis at LAX,” Lieu said.  “The FAA needs to order the airlines to shift flights out of LAX to the other airports in Los Angeles and Orange County.  It’s long past time for there to be a true regional airport system.”

Assemblymember Lieu also called on the FAA to review LAWA’s planned expansion of the airport to accommodate the massive Airbus A380, which requires specialized gates and runways because of its enormous size.  “Spending money to bring in the A380 right now when we’re already having these safety incursions just doesn’t make sense,” Lieu said.  “LAX is simply not situated to accept this mega-jumbo jet.”

Lieu has openly supported Congresswoman Jane Harman and Los Angeles Councilmember Bill Rosendahl in their push for a study by NASA on the North Airfield at LAX.  In the short term, however, it is clear LAX is experiencing an unacceptable level of safety problems.  The FAA needs to immediately intervene to remedy the safety crisis until long-term solutions are put in place.

Assemblymember Lieu represents the 53rd Assembly District, which includes LAX and the surrounding communities of Westchester and El Segundo.