During the week of October 29, 2025, the Los Angeles County Aviation Commission received a presentation on the ongoing Whiteman Airport Land Use Study. The study is examining several potential pathways for the future of the airport, including continued airport operations, modernization, and full closure.

Importantly, the briefing confirmed that no final decision has been made and that several major legal, operational, and contractual factors must be evaluated before any change could occur.

Below are the key facts presented to the Commission.

County aviation staff reported that Whiteman Airport operations are projected to grow modestly through 2035, reaching approximately 103,070 annual operations.

The airport remains overwhelmingly focused on general aviation, with activity dominated by single engine piston aircraft and no jet operations.

Approximately two thirds of operations are local, meaning the airport primarily serves based aircraft, flight training, and aviation activity within the surrounding community.

The County also noted that Santa Monica Airport’s planned closure in 2028 is expected to shift additional aviation demand into the regional airport system.

The Aviation Commission presentation made clear that Whiteman Airport cannot be closed by a simple County vote.

Because the airport has accepted federal aviation grants, closure would require approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

To approve closure, the FAA must determine that:

• No feasible alternative exists to keeping the airport open
• The airport is not needed for present or future civil aviation demand
• Closure would not degrade regional or national airspace capacity
• All federal grant obligations have been satisfied

This federal review process is a significant requirement that must be completed before any closure could occur.

Commission materials also showed that many existing airport lease agreements extend into the 2040s and 2050s.

These long term contractual obligations add financial and legal complexity to any potential redevelopment scenario.

As part of the Land Use Study, Los Angeles County is examining possible future uses for the property, including healthcare, bioscience, manufacturing, and other employment generating industries.

At the same time, the airport currently supports a range of aviation related businesses and community programs, including maintenance operators, flight schools, and aviation education activities.

The Aviation Commission briefing confirmed several important points:

• Whiteman Airport is forecast to continue serving aviation demand
• Closure would require a formal FAA approval process
• Existing lease agreements extend decades into the future
• The County’s study is ongoing and no final decision has been made

As the study continues, it will be critical that any proposed path forward fully addresses federal obligations, regional aviation demand, community impacts, and realistic implementation challenges.