Report Prepared by: Frank Quintero, Deputy City Manager on behalf of Mayor Matthew Serratto
Title
SUBJECT: Direction to Staff Regarding Advanced Air’s Request to Change Southern California Flight Service from Los Angeles International Airport to Hawthorne Municipal Airport
REPORT IN BRIEF
Advanced Air’s CEO Levi Stockton submitted a letter requesting that the City of Merced consider allowing the airline to transfer its Southern California flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Hawthorne Municipal Airport (HHR).
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion providing staff direction regarding Advanced Air’s request to change flight service from Los Angeles International Airport to Hawthorne Municipal Airport.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Direct staff to prepare a Letter to the Department of Transportation supporting Advanced Air’s request; or,
2. Deny; or,
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion); or,
4. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
DISCUSSION
Advanced Air’s CEO Levi Stockton submitted a letter requesting flight service from Merced be transitioned from Los Angeles International Airport to Hawthorne Municipal Airport (Attachment 1). According to Mr. Stockton, supply chain constraints, increased fuel and labor costs, and other costs have substantially impacted overall operations.
A report was prepared by Advanced Air providing details regarding the airline’s Merced operations including results from a customer survey for review (Attachment 2.)
Advanced Air provides commercial airline service from Merced Yosemite Regional Airport to Los Angeles International Airport and Harry Reid/Las Vegas International Airport via the Essential Air Service program which is overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The request from Advanced Air does not affect service to Las Vegas.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Letter from Advanced Airlines dated November 7, 2022
2. Report and Guest Survey Results