Supervisors Appoint Pro-National Airlines Member to Airport Advisory Commission

Napa County Supervisors voted to approve for the volunteer Airport Advisory Commission 5 out of 7 current members and 2 new members including an open supporter of allowing national and regional airlines to fly into Napa Airport. Concern from residents expressed in advance was so great that the vote was moved from the “batch” consent calendar to a stand-alone discussion lasting 45 minutes including comments from the public, several heads of county departments, and each supervisor (see video item #8). Supervisors reassured the public that it approved the new AAC based on: (1) the AAC is strictly advisory not policy-making; (2) diversity of opinion is desired and it might be expected that business interests might want national airlines at Napa Airport; (3) it would take much new legislation and budget to bring in national and regional airlines and (4) the applicant pool was limited. While this is somewhat reassuring it leaves cause for concern: how could the supervisors – our line of defense against commercial airlines – appoint an advocate for them, particularly as that would be against county regulations; supervisors already opened the way regularly scheduled passenger operator JSX to “open the door”; why are money interests allowed a voice on the commission but not impacted residents; and experience shows that every airport expansion started with just a few influential interests who held sway with officials.

The AAC nominations were based on the recommendations put forward by a panel of county employees and supervisors-appointed Planning Commissioner and Airport Land Use Commissioner. The purpose of the AAC is to advance and promote the interest of aviation to the public and advise and support Airport Management on selected issues related to Airport policies and operations.