HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 - Proposed Interim Cargo Operations at El Toro MCASAgenda Item 8
• CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
DATE: April 12, 1999
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Peggy Ducey, Deputy City Manager
SUBJECT: County Proposed Interim Cargo Operations
On January 26'h, the Board of Supervisors authorized staff to pursue negotiations for interim
cargo service, as well as other aviation - related interim uses at El Toro and report back to the
Board no later than April 1999.
Three cargo operators, Airborne, FedEx and United Parcel Service, have expressed interest in
cargo flights at El Toro in July 1999 when the base closes. Each carrier has proposed a
maximum of two flights per day for a total of 12 daily operations (6 arrivals and 6 departures).
All of the carriers want an early morning arrival in the 4:00 a.m. hour, with departures by 7:30
• p.m. except on Saturday, which would depart at 11:30 p.m. The carriers would use only Stage 3
aircraft, the quietest of current operating planes.
The most compelling reason to explore interim cargo service is financial. Revenue generated
from cargo operations could significantly offset base operational and maintenance costs,
estimated at $7 million annually. Once the federal government converts the base, the County is
financially responsible for the ongoing maintenance costs. Cargo operations at El Toro could
significantly reduce the taxpayer cost to maintain the base while it is being redeveloped. By
example, the two cargo flights currently operating at JWA result in $600,000 annually in direct
airport revenue.
Cargo flights on a limited scale also provide another way to demonstrate to the surrounding
community the real rather than the perceived impacts of commercial operations at El Toro
MCAS. Ongoing daily flights on a limited basis allows the community to experience flight
operations in various weather conditions, time of day and day of week.
The Orange County Regional Airport Authority approved this resolution at their February
meeting. Individual member cities are also requesting their respective City Councils to take
similar action. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to review this issue again at its April 20'h
meeting.
RECOMMENDATION
• Adopt a resolution of the Newport Beach City Council supporting interim cargo operations at El
Toro MCAS.
RESOLUTION 99-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH SUPPORTING
INTERIM CARGO OPERATIONS AT EL TORO MCAS
Whereas, John Wayne Airport hosts only two cargo flights per day; and
Whereas, Orange County currently exports 96 %, or 514,000 tons, of its cargo to
airports and communities in other counties, which places County businesses at a
competitive disadvantage to other counties; and
Whereas, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) projects that
traffic commute times will double in the next twenty years, a condition that could
seriously compromise just -in -time air cargo transport to airports outside the County; and
Whereas, maintenance and operational costs for El Toro MCAS are estimated to be $7
million annually that County taxpayers would be responsible for once the base is
transferred; and
Whereas, interim cargo and other aviation operations could generate millions of dollars
that would offset the taxpayer burden; and
Whereas, interim cargo operations would also provide the most realistic flight
demonstration for commercial operations on an ongoing basis, and •
Whereas, interim cargo proposals are for a limited number of flights, using Stage III
aircraft, the quietest aircraft in the carrier fleet and the Orange County Regional Airport
Authority (OCRAA) supports the use of Stage III aircraft only.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the City of Newport Beach does hereby
resolve that it supports the Board of Supervisor's actions to pursue interim cargo
operations at El Toro MCAS.
ADOPTED by the City of Newport Beach at its regular meeting held on the 12th day of
April, 1999.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK •