> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Major airline to relocate hub in Santa Monica - URL: https://www.smdp.com/major-airline-to-relocate-hub-in-santa-monica/ - Published: 2005-04-01T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T06:31:55.000Z - Author: Guest Author - Tags: local, Santa Monica Airport, #archive-import *By QUIRKY FEELING A special slave to the Daily Planet* “Don’t Ever Leave The Airport” Delta Airlines announced this week it will move its West Coast hub from Los Angeles International to the Santa Monica Airport. The airline said it expects to operate both domestic and international flights out of Santa Monica by the spring of ’06, after the airport undergoes massive expansion to accommodate its new tenant. Delta spokesman Guy Mann said due to Santa Monica’s close proximity to the center of the Earth, it proved to be a perfect alternative to LAX, which he called “not so nice.” “LAX is such a pain the ass,” he said. “I mean really, have you been there lately? You have to wait 30 minutes just to get an iced coffee at Stealbucks.” With the airline experiencing severe financial troubles, Mann said Delta is hoping to draw in new customers and increase revenue by advertising the relative ease of using a small, non-commercial airport. “The wait for Stealbucks will be like two minutes here, and if it gets longer, we’ll build more if we have to,” he said. The expansion doesn’t bother nearby residents, some of whom live within one foot of the runway. “The bigger the better in terms of jets,” said Nina Nimby. “I’m not concerned at all, Delta is a reputable airline and I’m sure there will be no accidents.” Delta has been in talks with the city since 2003, but council members declined to make any public decisions until after last fall’s election. But after winning re-election — and speaking with representatives from the airlines, the FAA and the environmental task force — the City Council approved the airline’s plans to construct a 5 million-square-foot hub last week. First-term City Councilman Bobby Coniver has credited himself with bringing the airline to Santa Monica, even though the negotiations began before his term. “This whole thing was my idea, but don’t tell ‘the others’ I said that, OK?” he said. The airline will pay the city $20 million for the use of the airport, plus an annual rent that has not been disclosed. An airport executive speaking on the condition of anonymity said the deal is said to be worth more than the airport itself. “Suckers,” he said, adding that he got Delta to convert all airport toilets from manual to automatic. “Now our bathrooms can finally compete with John Wayne in Orange County.” According to construction plans released by Delta, the operation will require a year-long construction period staggered into two phases. Phase one will include demolishing entire sections of the airport and rebuilding them vertically. “We are planning to rely heavily on the use of escalators,” said architect Bob Buildit, who will design the new building. Buildit said he has employed a team of designers to read Feng Shui for Dummies and place furniture inside the finished building accordingly. The second phase of construction will include building hangers and extending landing strips for the Delta’s fleet of 757s. Because of the airport’s location in a dense neighborhood, Delta is considering buying out the owners of neighboring homes — giving them a lifetime supply of free in-flight headphones and drink vouchers in addition to market rate for their homes. Not all residents were happy with the annoucement or the airline’s offer. “They don’t even give you free food on planes these days. You have to pay for ‘snack packs’ and Delta isn’t even offering us that much,” said nearby resident Frank Snapple. Already upset with the traffic coming through the airport, many residents were adamantly opposed to the Delta move. “Just because we decided to buy a house right next to the airport doesn’t mean we should have to hear airplanes,” said resident Seeno Evile. “This is an outrage,” said Ian Wontbudge, president of the neighborhood group of Enemys of the Airport. “If the airline does not reconsider I will cancel my Delta miles MasterCard and apply for a Visa American Airlines card instead. Since Delta’s announcement earlier this week City Hall has received bids from both United Airlines and Air Canada. When asked for details, City Hall public information officer Trudy Ramblinon said, “I don’t have any information about that but I can tell you that everything is peachy in this city by the sea.” *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 1, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/040105.pdf?ref=smdp.com)