How do you see a small, local airport with no IAPs becoming the economic engine of a small city with a median household income of some $40k?"I am proud to have successfully fought for legislation that will finally provide a pathway for the closure of the Banning Airport," Padilla said in a released statement. "For too long, the Banning Municipal Airport has been a financial drain on the community, preventing redevelopment and economic growth. Now, after years of work, the City of Banning and Morongo Band of Mission Indians can finally unlock untapped economic opportunity blocked by the airport.“
I’d like to know more about this. These are the representatives that we need OUT of office. The airport should be seen as the economic engine of the city, not the entity that prevents economic development. I am fortunate to have airport positive individuals on the council here. I’m sorry to see this.
Just being an airport doesn’t mean it does or can make money. Almost every time I fly into a small airport on a weekday there is almost nobody around and no commerce happening. The few people I do meet are usually other owners who are retired and just putzing around in their hanger. The truth is that businesses have moved to distribution systems that don’t rely on small airports anymore and most airports are just supporting the few pilots using them for recreation. It’s tough to sell a politician on the value of that to their district.The airport should be seen as the economic engine of the city, not the entity that prevents economic development.
The economic development will likely be a casino, considering the actors involved.
Had there been 1 major employer basing an aircraft at that airport it would not have been closed. The issue for the city was they didn’t have a major employer.It depends on who owns those planes.
If they are the people who also own the largest employers in town, this could be a very bad decision, though it might take a few years to play out.
I saw this effect in my hometown. When the local airport decided to stop servicing regular scheduled major carrier flights, the two large companies in town both moved their division headquarters out to be closer to a major airport. All of the management and engineering left with them, and the manufacturing followed a few years later. The VPs could still use the company jets, but having every other business traveler rent a car and drive 90 minutes to an airport became cost- and time-prohibitive.
Be careful what windmill you attack. It might be more than just a fan.
Stopping commercial air carrier service is a pretty far blush from closing an airport with 16 GA aircraft based at it that has seen a 70% reduction in operations in a decade and a half.It depends on who owns those planes.
If they are the people who also own the largest employers in town, this could be a very bad decision, though it might take a few years to play out.
I saw this effect in my hometown. When the local airport decided to stop servicing regular scheduled major carrier flights, the two large companies in town both moved their division headquarters out to be closer to a major airport. All of the management and engineering left with them, and the manufacturing followed a few years later. The VPs could still use the company jets, but having every other business traveler rent a car and drive 90 minutes to an airport became cost- and time-prohibitive.
Be careful what windmill you attack. It might be more than just a fan.
Maybe not a single major, but who owns the planes that are there, and do they employ people?
Apparently not within city limits.So there's no more undeveloped land in the area? Seems to me if a film studio is interested in the area, a GA airport might be a draw. Add a little macadam here and there and the principals could bring their Gulfstreams in.
Hate to say it, but after eyeballing a map, I can sorta see why. Palm Springs Intl 30 minutes west, March Field 30 minutes east. Several gigantic warehouses suggest truck traffic along I-10 is the real economic engine. Sucks for the local GA guys, but closure in this case might be a net economic plus for the community. This ain't some isolated town in North Dakota.
Apparently, in some tacky colorsOh come on, what about Cabazon Dinosaurs? They are the World's Biggest DinosaursTM!
View attachment 129027
And the airports that close.I don’t think funding is the problem. The airports that need funding seem to get it.
Last time I checked the ASOS it wasn't working @ banning and hasn't worked for years.I just hope that they keep the ASOS after closing the airport. The biggest thing that airport does is provide weather for the pass. Especially as the pass can have different weather than either end of it.
Last I heard, there was something broken or out of spec on it. I listen to it on flights through the pass, but it's not certified enough or something to be reported online.Last time I checked the ASOS it wasn't working @ banning and hasn't worked for years.
Only reason I know about those is from Pee Wee's Big Adventure and The Wizard movies from the 1980s, lolOh come on, what about Cabazon Dinosaurs? They are the World's Biggest DinosaursTM!
View attachment 129027
Unfortunately, the Wheel Inn Restaurant closed down back in 2013.Only reason I know about those is from Pee Wee's Big Adventure and The Wizard movies from the 1980s, lol
Last time I checked the ASOS it wasn't working @ banning and hasn't worked for years.
Update: I just called it and it is working! Yes, I hope they keep it too. Great information for going through the banning pass!
Film studios are happy to move in if they're given tax rebates. I won't be surprised if all parties mentioned are offered those freebies.Current interest is from film studio, warehouses, and some manufacturing according to the article.
![]()
Banning Municipal Airport Receives Federal OK To Close
Legislation that paves the way for the long-desired shutdown is now awaiting President Joe Biden's signature.patch.com