The Ordinance for landing fees was approved based on false "findings."
On 11/14/2023, the City Council approved landing fees for all users of Torrance Airport EXCEPT for Robinson Helicopter Company. The FAA's
Policy Regarding Airport Rates and Charges requires landing fees to be fair and reasonable, non-discriminatory, and non-arbitrary. Although
the City Staff Report listed a number of "findings" to support the imposition of the fees, most of the "findings" were clearly false.
Finding #3 falsely states "The City of Torrance's adoption of landing fees is consistent and in compliance with the FAA's Policy Regarding Airport Rates and Charges."
THE TRUTH: No study results or evidence has ever been provided that there was an economic need for landing fees. The fees are not needed and were instituted solely to
throttle airport operations. Thus, the Torrance landing fees are neither fair nor reasonable and are not in compliance with the FAA's policy regarding airport rates and
charges.
Finding #4 falsely states: "The landing fees, as adopted, are necessary to offset the City's costs incurred in maintaining and operating the airport facilities."
THE TRUTH: Over the past 10 years, from 46% to 94% (average of 31%) of Airport Funds were transferred annually out of the Airport Fund and not used as required by Article
15 for airport operations and maintenance. Thus, an annual average of $11.3 million (which is currently diverted from the Airport Fund) is available to provide for any
additional funds (if needed) for airport operations and maintenance without the Landing Fees.
Finding #5 falsely states: "The landing fees . . . are fair and reasonable because they are fixed according to a fair and practical standard."
THE TRUTH: The fees are not needed and were instituted solely to throttle airport operations. This is not allowed under federal laws and is contrary to the stated FAA
Policy Regarding Airport Rates and Charges.
Finding #6 falsely states: "The landing fees are non-discriminatory because they are reasonable and fair and will be applied to each aircraft over 1,000 pounds."
THE TRUTH: All other airport users are charged landing fees EXCEPT for Robinson Helicopter Company. Even other helicopter operators on the airport are charged landing
fees for the same operation of landing and hover-taxiing to their parking spots on the airport. The landing fees are discriminatory.
SUMMARY: The adoption of the Landing Fee Ordinance was arbitrary and capricious because there is no evidence to support the City's finding of economic need and the city
continues to transfer more than $10M annually out of the Airport Fund as surplus to the needs for operation and maintenance of the airport.
The Torrance landing fees are NOT consistent with the FAA policy regarding airport rates and charges because they are unfair, unreasonable, discriminatory and arbitrary.
3/8/2024: Torrance Airport Association (TAA) filed a Petition in Superior Court seeking to cancel the unnecessary
and discriminatory landing fees. The case was removed to Federal Court. A hearing
is scheduled for 2/3/2026.