China business won’t fly

Your editorial Sunday, “China trip could open doors for business,”

has a disconnect. China will find Orange County’s airport capacity to

be woefully short of the needs of overseas commerce. John Wayne

Airport, a tiny airport with a 5,700-foot runway, is inadequate to

handle overseas trade. It has been expanding rapidly (21% in the past

year) and is almost up to its full capacity.

Why would active trading partner China not prefer a county which

has an adequate airport? A number of other cities are anxious for

China’s business and can provide quick turnover of goods. The 130

Newport Beach business people will be wasting their time and money

unless they address the real problem. They should be focusing their

energies on opening up El Toro Commercial Airport if they want their

businesses to prosper.

Even with the land use decision of Measure W, El Toro can still be

activated. Another agency such as the Los Angeles World Airports

could be authorized by the Navy to operate El Toro. This federal

decision would trump any local land use decision of 12 south county

cities. Business interests in Newport Beach and other Orange County

cities need to address this lack of airport space if they wish to

promote increasing trade with Asian countries.

SHIRLEY A. CONGER

Corona del Mar