Hawthorne Airport
Hawthorne Airport is a financial asset to our city. The
projections furnished by the city for the period of July 1, 2000
to June 30, 2001 state revenues of $622,911.28 based on hanger
leases, tiedowns, leases to users, i.e. Nat's, Security Aviation,
Flight Service, etc., landing fees, parking fees, and fuel sales.
The magnitude of the profit depends on how the revenue is managed.
Education
Pilots of all races and backgrounds have trained at Hawthorne Airport
and are currently flying for all major airlines all over the world.
Some lived in Hawthorne, some did not. They all brought business to
the airport and money to the neighborhood businesses.
Reliever
Currently used for charter flights, document transport, training,
Medical Evacuation, Police and a convenient alternative for VIPs.
Hawthorne Airport would be invaluable in the event that LAX were to be
shutdown in a crisis similar to other recent events.
The Future
The Hub and Spoke concept saturates airports, is time consuming, and
is inconvenient. The advances in engines and airframes for general
aviation airplanes which will be extremely quiet, fast, and reasonably
priced will provide opportunities for airports such as Hawthorne
Airport to not only provide a centrally located destination but one
with easy access for transportation. There will be many financial
opportunities presented to support these changes.
The current City Council and previous ones have INTENTIONALLY prevented
the airport from financially growing by signing leases that are low,
allowing buildings to fall into such a state of disrepair that they are
unrentable, not seeking tenants for space that is rentable, ignoring the
value of the hangars (The AD HOC committee recommended in writing on
May 14, 2001 that all rents be increased by 10%), allowing the
opportunity for AIP grants lapse, etc.
The airport is currently making money for the city. The amount is
questionable and learning the exact amount is difficult, at best. If
it $38,000 per year, this is a lot more than the old Hawthorne Mall
has produced in the last 5 years!
The airport also furnishes employment for many, both private companies
and city employees. There are 1200 people using Hawthorne Airport
every day in one way or another. The budget for the airport
is $622,000 a year. Santa Monica's airport budget is $6,000,000 a
year! The potential is there.
On November 6, Vote NO on Measure A!
Remember a NO vote Saves Our Airport!
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