Protecting Measure LC and Our Neighborhoods
What's going on?
In late September the City announced that JSX would begin commercial passenger air service at Santa Monica Airport on November 1, 2025. The city filed an exemption from environmental reviews, beyond what was provided by JSX. In response, Measure LC Defense was formed to challenge the exemption through a court order, and filed a California Environmental Quality Act Case in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. ​​​​​​
What is JSX doing at SMO?
JSX is operating scheduled flights on a 30-passenger ATR 42-600—the largest aircraft that will be operating at SMO (see photo above). They currently offer 2 daily round trips to Vegas and one daily round trip to Scottsdale. A third Vegas flight will begin February 5th. Additional flights to the Bay Area and Telluride, CO are being planned. According to their CEO, they could fly up to 9 flights per day which would amount to 18 total takeoffs and landings per day.
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How does jsx impact residents?
SMO is surrounded by homes, schools, and parks. New commercial service raises concerns about noise, quality of life impacts, pollution and health impacts, air and street traffic, and safety risks. These issues have not been independently reviewed.
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Why does this lawsuit matter?
When a city approves activity that may affect neighborhoods, safety, or the environment, California law normally requires agencies to study impacts and consider ways to reduce harm. Measure LC Defense is asking the court to require independent public review and informed decision-making. This approval sets a precedent: the same approach could later be applied to additional air carriers or emerging air taxi technologies (eVTOLs).
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What is the alternative to filing a lawsuit?
The alternative is doing nothing. That would allow JSX to operate and expand with few limits, and opens the door to other operators — including similar charter airlines and new aircraft types such as eVTOLs — without proper oversight or public review.
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Is The City Really obligated to Approve the Lease?
The City maintains that it was required to approve this activity to comply with the consent decree and FAA rules, and to avoid jeopardizing the airport’s planned closure. Yet the City has not clearly explained how those rules apply here, why independent review was not performed, why approval was accelerated, or why opportunities for public discussion were limited.
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What is CEQA?
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is a state law that requires public agencies to evaluate the environmental impacts of proposed projects, disclose those impacts to the public and reduce harm where possible before approving major new activities. It is California’s environmental protection process.
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What is a CEQA Notice of Exemption (NOE)?
An NOE is a document claiming a project is exempt from environmental review. The City filed an NOE for JSX on October 9, 2025, saying "no independent study was required". We filed our challenge before the 35-day deadline expired.​​
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Does this lawsuit affect airport closure in 2028?
We fully support the City’s plan to close SMO by December 31, 2028. Our case is about ensuring decisions made today reflect that commitment and protect neighborhoods in these final years.
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Will JSX operate while the case moves forward?
That depends on decisions by the City, JSX, and the Court. CEQA cases do not automatically stop a project; sometimes projects pause, and sometimes they continue during litigation.​​​
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Is my donation tax deductible?​
No. Donations are not tax-deductible. Measure LC Defense is an all-volunteer, unincorporated nonprofit association but it is not a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4). ​
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Who filed the lawsuit?
Measure LC Defense, Alan Levenson, and Zina Josephs. The lawsuit challenges the City’s approval of JSX’s Commercial Operations Permit without conducting the required environmental review.
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Can donors be held liable if the case is lost?​
No. Donors are not parties to the lawsuit and won't be held liable for court costs or judgements. ​
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How can I help?
You can make a meaningful difference. Attend City meetings if necessary and write to City Council and staff when asked. Supporting our campaign can make the most impact:
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​​​​​​​​​​How can I stay informed?
SUBSCRIBE to be kept up to date with developments on the airport and our legal challenge.​
NEWS updates
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newsletter: AIRPORT "EXPERIMENT" AND LAWSUIT UPDATE
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JSX has wasted no time rapidly expanding what their C.E.O. has referred to as an experiment — an experiment our neighborhoods did not sign up to participate in. Our CEQA lawsuit is the only tool left to shine some light on this project, and add transparency before this experiment grows out of control. Read more >>
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JSX FLIGHTS QUADRUPLE BY FEBRUARY 5th.​
On January 22nd service to Scottsdale began, along with a second Vegas flight. A third Vegas flight begins February 5.
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JSX announced plans to acquire up to 25 similar turboprop aircraft capable of operating on Santa Monica Airport’s short runway, indicating the potential for additional routes and increased service in the future. Alert your neighbors >>
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IN THE MEDIA
Donate to the Legal Defense Fund
Our grassroots legal action is funded solely by residents of the surrounding communities and by the supporters of Measure LC. 100% of your contribution goes toward funding our legal challenge and outreach. Please help us keep our neighborhoods safe and livable. ​​
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Stay informed. Subscribe for occasional news regarding airport developments and the legal challenge.​​
• Lend a hand:
INFORM YOUR NEIGHBORS Download our flyer and share
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VOLUNTEER Join our canvassing effort
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Lend a skill research, design, outreach, technical, etc.
legal Representation
​​Measure LC Defense is a unincorporated non-profit association represented by Strumwasser & Woocher LLP, a nationally recognized law firm specializing in representing public sector clients, non-profit organizations, and individuals across California on complex and high-profile legal issues involving local and state government, land use, economic regulation, environmental protection. They will be representing Measure LC Defense in all aspects of this case.
Lead counsellor on the case Beverly Grossman Palmer, a partner at Strumwasser & Woocher, states, "We are pleased to be representing Measure LC Defense in this action. The City of Santa Monica’s reliance on these inapplicable CEQA exemptions resulted in the public not receiving complete information about the environmental impacts of a significant change in airport operations. We hope that this litigation vindicates CEQA’s policies of informed decision-making and public participation when it comes to operations at the Santa Monica Airport.”​​
Measure LC Defense appreciates the community support helping to fund the legal action against JSX’s CEQA exemption. Please make a donation today.
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about
Measure LC Defense formed in response to the City's decision to issue a permit for commercial airline service at Santa Monica Airport without conducting a full, independent environmental and safety review. We are challenging this exemption and asking the court to examine the record and require a complete review if it determines one is warranted.
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We are an all-volunteer, community-led group of residents dedicated to securing the Great Park Santa Monica voters first supported in 1926 and again in 2014.
We are committed to protecting the health and safety of Santa Monica and West Los Angeles residents and to uphold the spirit of Measure LC. With the support of neighbors we will work to safeguard the on-time closure of the airport in 2028 so the parkland vision can finally be realized.