OFFICIALS PROPOSING the sale of John Wayne Airport, Orange County, says that Federal laws and the site's complex ownership could make a successful sale "almost impossible."
The Californian airport, well known for its tight noise restrictions, was offered for sale earlier this year after its local authority owner Orange County filed for bankruptcy. Lockheed Air Terminal (now Airport Group International, following a link-up with Soros Capital owned by international currency speculator George Soros) is believed to have bid $210 million for the airport, which is used by 7 million passengers a year.
BAA, operator of three London and four provincial airports in the UK, and the Orange County Transportation Authority have also expressed an interest, but did not bid, being deterred by a series of complications listed in the request for proposals (RFP). These included the severe noise- abatement procedures and a Federal law, which prohibits the diversion of airport revenue away from the airport.
Other complications include possible legal difficulties over interest from the Orange County Transportation Authority, and the continued doubt over the future of nearby El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. El Toro, due to close by 1999, has two 3,000m (10,000ft) runways, against one 1,740m runway at Orange County. Passenger demand is already close to the ceiling of 8.4 million passengers decreed by Orange County. Planners believe that El Toro could provide an international gateway.
BAA is known to be keeping a close watch on the situation. The acquisition of John Wayne Airport would be a further important plank in its global ambitions. It already manages the retail network at Pittsburgh International Airport, and is shortly to sign a ten-year contract for the management and operation of the Indianapolis airports system.
Source: Flight International
