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# No word on airport injunction
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/no-word-on-airport-injunction/
- Published: 2008-05-16T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-25T00:03:44.000Z
- Author: Melody Hanatani
- Tags: Government & Politics, Santa Monica Airport, #archive-import

*City awaits judge’s ruling regarding airport jet ban*

A temporary restraining order barring Santa Monica City Hall from enforcing its ban on the fastest jets at Santa Monica Airport remains in effect as the U.S. District Court has yet to rule on whether to issue a preliminary injunction requested by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Both parties met in U.S. District Court on Thursday morning to argue a request for a preliminary injunction that would further enjoin City Hall from enforcing the ban until the FAA studies the legality of the city ordinance. Judge George Wu had not reached a decision by the time the court had adjourned for the day.

The Santa Monica City Council last month passed an ordinance banning category C and D jets, which includes the Gulfstream IV and Citation X, citing dangers associated with the type of aircraft, including the possibility of a plane overshooting the runway.

Runway safety at the airport has long been a source of contention between the FAA and City Hall, city officials echoing concerns of Sunset Park residents that there is a chance a jet will one day overshoot the runway and collide with homes. Santa Monica, which is considered a reliever airport, is unique in that there are homes within 300 feet of the east and west ends of the runway.

The ban was set to go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on April 24 but was suspended by City Hall later that day after the FAA filed for a temporary restraining order. The TRO, issued by the judge on April 28, forced City Hall to comply with the FAA’s earlier cease-and-desist order.

The FAA argues that irreparable harm would exist as a result of the ban, disrupting 9,000 aircraft operations a year at Santa Monica Airport, affecting 20,000 to 30,000 passengers. Federal officials also point out that the runway incidents at the airport have involved the smaller A and B category planes.

Deputy City Attorney Lance Gams urged the judge not to issue the preliminary injunction while the legality of the ordinance is being analyzed.

“Why not choose the public’s interest over the convenience of a few,” Gams said.

If the judge does side with the FAA, Gams said City Hall will likely appeal to the state Appellant Court. Gams added that the city could petition the Court of Appeals to review the issuance of the cease and desist order.

Jump hedline: City awaits judge ruling about aircraft ban

Suggested pullquote: “Why not choose the public’s interest over the convenience of a few.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 16, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/051608.pdf?ref=smdp.com)