Residents of Santa Monica will enjoy a much quieter atmosphere this week. The Santa Monica Airport (SMO) closed Sunday at 9 p.m. for repairs to taxiways and runways.
Some residents planned to hold a "vigil" in Venice on Monday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to celebrate the peace and quiet they will enjoy throughout the week. The event is being organized by Concerned Residents Against Airport Pollution (CRAAP).
"We want to give residents in the neighborhoods surrounding Santa Monica Airport the opportunity to celebrate the peace that is possible when we’re free of airport pollution and noise," said CRAAP Director Martin Rubin.
Airport traffic has increased in the past few years with 300 takeoffs and landings per day. This has bothered neighbors of the airport who are concerned with the increasing amount of noise and pollution that has resulted from the increase in traffic.
The airport has a contract with the FAA through 2015 that requires SMO to continue operations until that time. Many attendees' of the vigil will most likely advocate for the permanent closure of the airport when the contract expires, however according to City Attorney Marsha Moutrie, "that will be a legal dispute between the city and the FAA."
Residents of Santa Monica will have to make the most of the next week of quiet as flights are scheduled to resume Friday at 7 a.m.
