JetBlue Airways (B6, New York JFK) has held preliminary discussions with the City of Long Beach over the possibility of opening up Long Beach Airport to international traffic. The Long Beach Press Telegram reports the budget carrier is pushing for the airport to establish a federal customs facility - mandatory infrastructure in any international gateway.
However, plans to accommodate foreign flights have encountered stiff resistance from locals who are concerned that an increase in traffic will severely impinge on the city's airport noise abatement rules. The airport is under one of the strictest ordinances in the United States concerning airport noise and flight slots.
“While we all want to see the airport prosper, we must not make rash decisions on significant changes to the airport without a robust community discussion," councilman Al Austin said. "Jeopardizing the noise ordinance could adversely affect property values and negatively impact our air quality and the health of thousands of families.”
A study on the airport noise ordinance is to be carried out within 45 days with its results to be used as a possible counter to jetBlue's proposal.
Located 3 miles (5.8km) northeast of downtown Long Beach, in Los Angeles County, Long Beach Airport regulations allow for 41 commercial flights and 25 commuter flights daily with jetBlue using 31 of those slots. Other operators include Alaska Airlines (AS, Seattle Tacoma International), Delta Air Lines (DL, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson), and US Airways (Phoenix Sky Harbor).
