Last hurdle for flight restrictions cleared

June Casagrande

A District Court judge has put his stamp of approval on the amended

John Wayne Settlement Agreement, clearing the last hurdle for

restrictions of flights and expansion at John Wayne Airport.

“We expected that the judge would sign it,” City Attorney Bob

Burnham said. “We didn’t feel there was any reason for him not to

sign it, but we are happy he did.”

Monday’s decision by Central District Court Judge Terry Hatter was

the likely result of a far more difficult hurdle that was cleared in

January, Burnham said.

The Federal Aviation Administration and Air Transport Assn. in

January gave their blessings to a modified settlement agreement that

raises the allowable number of passengers by about 1 million, to 10.8

million a year, and will eventually allow 20 gates there by 2011. The

agreement offered some growth in passenger caps and gates in exchange

for assurances that the agencies would not sue to overturn the

settlement agreement.

A letter that aviation administration officials sent to the city

affirmed that the administration considered the agreement to be in

line with federal law.

Hatter’s signature was the final formality required to solidify

the settlement agreement.

“I am very happy to finally see the culmination of the hard work

provided by all the involved stakeholders,” Orange County Supervisor

Jim Silva said in a statement. “They put aside all personal agendas

to craft a settlement agreement that properly balances the need for

increased aviation capacity in Orange County and the safety of the

surrounding communities.”

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.

She may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.