A Few Updates on
Joby, Park, Pilots, & JSX
May 23, 2026
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Pilots and Venice Residents Speak at City Council Meeting; Park Framework Discussion Disappears From Council Agenda.
Pilots showed up en masse at the May 12 Council Meeting to make their case to save the airport along with some Venice neighbors inundated with pattern flying. Fox 11 Video here
The City canceled the public discussion on the Airport Conversion Framework that had been on the meeting agenda. No replacement public meeting has yet been scheduled before a more finalized version is expected to return to Council.
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Lawsuit Update​
​The demurrer hearing in the Measure LC Defense lawsuit was moved from May 12 to June 30. The City and JSX are asking the court to dismiss the case before the case proceeds, arguing that CEQA does not apply because federal aviation law and the 2017 Consent Decree limit the City’s discretion.
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JSX Operations Remain Fluid
​JSX flight schedules from SMO continue to change. In the last week JSX has scheduled up to six round-trip flights per day from Santa Monica, with some flights occasionally routed through LAX or Burbank.
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Joby/eVTOL Update
The City has notified the Airport Commission that Atlantic Aviation and Joby Aviation are expected to submit a proposal related to eVTOL operations at SMO. Joby is reportedly aiming to begin demonstration flights by fall and is asking to lease hangar space for its Cirrus aircraft. Joby has also indicated that its portable battery charging system can be powered from existing electrical service temporarily. It is unclear at this time whether more infrastructure or modifications will be required.
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With JSX expansion and proposed Joby operations now under discussion, broader public discussion about the airport’s remaining operating years may be important.
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Op-Ed: Why financial Structure Matters
​Alan Levenson’s recent Argonaut op-ed proposes that Santa Monica must protect airport lease revenue for the future park — not let it disappear into City Hall. Read the op-ed here.
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Operations And Aircraft Activity Increasing
May 20th Airport Commission reports that overall airport operations are up 42% year over year. Helicopter operations are up 89%, largely attributed to the new tenant Maverick. Turboprop operations are up 44%.
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Noise Reports And Enforcement Questions
The April noise report included a $10,000 noise violation involving the same JSX ATR aircraft tail number. Residents continue to ask for clearer public reporting on enforcement of sanctions, and for release of SENEL noise data from all monitoring stations. Currently only noise violations from monitors 1 and 2 are reported. There are six monitors in total.
Leaded Fuel/Fuel Activity
​The April fuel flowage report shows increased Jet fuel deliveries, with April 2026 Jet fuel at 45,237 gallons, the highest monthly total shown in the current fiscal year report. The City is also discussing unleaded fuel transition workshops, but residents continue to press for actual policy analysis, including comparison to Santa Clara County’s transition away from all leaded aviation fuel since 2022.
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Support The Lawsuit
Measure LC Defense continues to challenge the City’s approval of JSX operations without environmental review. This lawsuit may impact future decisions. Donations support the legal effort. Donate to Measure LC Defense.
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Thank you for staying informed and engaged.