Future of San Luis Obispo economy tied to airport expansion

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slo airportAirline industry’s focus on major routes challenges SLO airport’s growth plan– Faced with loss of some air service in recent years, an airline industry in flux and about 60 percent of travelers flying out of Los Angeles or the Bay Area, attracting new airlines and adding routes to San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport is an ongoing challenge with no easy fix.

“There’s no one factor,” said Kevin Bumen, general manager of the airport. “And this isn’t something that’s unique to San Luis Obispo.”

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SLO Council delays vote on airport override

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San Luis ObispoSLO Council delays vote on airport override; Rivoire asks for more time

The San Luis Obispo City Council delayed making a decision Tuesday on aproposed override of an Airport Land Use Commission ruling that would limit much of the city’s planned growth at the southern end of the city.

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Turboprop planes at SLO airport to be replaced with jets

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San Luis ObispoSkyWest Airlines, which operates daily flights out of San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SLO), is removing all of its turboprop aircraft from service and replacing them with regional jets.

Skywest Inc. aims to “improve SkyWest’s overall efficiency and long-term profitability,” according to a statement released by the Utah-based company. As well, the company noted that retirement of the 30-seat Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia fleet is due in part to “increased costs and challenges associated with new (FAA) FAR117 flight and duty rules.” The rules, implemented in January 2014, were established to give commercial pilots more rest between flights in an effort to combat fatigue.

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San Luis Obispo – Development Around Airport in Question

San Luis ObispoReferendum may derail SLO City Council vote to override airport commission Kevin P. Rice is organizing a campaign against the City Council’s possible override of the safety plan for development around the airport

Kevin P. Rice, a San Luis Obispo resident and frequent City Council critic, is mounting a campaign against an expected council vote to override the Airport Land Use Commission’s safety plan, which limits the city’s future growth.

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SLO City Council, ALUC clash over development near airfield

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The city of San Luis Obispo and the commission that drafts the safety plans for the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport are going to head-to-head over future development in the city.

The City Council this week took the first step to overrule the Airport Land Use Commission’s decision that the city’s update of its general plan, or its blueprint for growth, is inconsistent with the airport’s safety plan.

That plan, in place for more than 40 years, determines what type of development can occur around the airport, taking into account both safety and noise impacts and to protect the airport from development that would hinder its future operations.

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