AVIATION ACCIDENT: FAA Disputes Study Declaring 2 LAX Runways Safe

April 7, 2010

Los Angeles – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has expressed disagreement to a federal report that declared two runways at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to be safe and needs no improvement on safety.

Based on the study conducted by an academic panel and NASA Ames Research Center in February, the two north runways of the LAX were found to be safe and alterations or improvement will not make them much safer.

However, FAA chief Randy Babbitt disputed the report and said the study was “flawed”. In his letter to LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Babbitt had recommended “more space and taxiway” between the two north runways.

The mayor however said that he opposes changes in the north field unless it safety issues truly demand it.