(Van Nuys, Ca.) Van Nuys Airport (VNY), ranked one of the world’s busiest general aviation airports, reported a total of zero runway and taxiway incursions in 2018. The announcement headlined a comprehensive report on VNY safety and security initiatives presented at a meeting of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners held today Feb. 7, at Van Nuys City Hall. The prevention of runway and taxiway incursions, classified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a type of vehicle/pedestrian deviation (V/PD), has been identified as a critical safety and security issue at airports across the nation.
“With more than 260,000 takeoffs and landings in 2018, Van Nuys Airport attracts a high level of aircraft operations and diverse business activities on a daily basis,” said Deborah Flint, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports, which operates VNY and Los Angeles International Airport. “VNY’s tremendous success is the result of close collaboration among airport management, tenants, users and operators to implement ambitious and industry-leading safety and security programs. These efforts create a safer environment for passengers and flight crew, as well as for the more than 5,200 employees who work on the airfield.”
Since 2015, VNY has implemented a variety of voluntary and mandatory measures to reduce V/PDs in response to the FAA’s national call to action on this issue. They range from issuing administrative citations and revoking airfield driving privileges for safety violations, to establishing and auditing new security training programs for airport employees, vendors and visitors. A key goal is to increase airport familiarization and situational awareness for all persons accessing the airport.
VNY has also completed projects for improved leasehold and access control, including enhancements to airport fencing, signage and lighting. Approximately 1.5 miles of the airport’s perimeter fence has been heightened, six lighting projects have been completed and 38% of the original gates have been restricted or closed. More improvements are planned in 2019.
In addition, in 2017, the airport’s master tenants unanimously approved eleven best practices to maintain positive control of persons and vehicles on their leaseholds – ranging from the installation of electronic key cards and surveillance cameras to prohibiting Uber, Lyft and taxi drivers from entering aircraft parking ramps.
Overall, towered airports reported a total of 1,831 runway incursions in 2018, of which 335 were V/PDs. This is an increase over the 1,748 runway incursions reported in 2017, of which 293 were V/PDs. In contrast, VNY has experienced a downward trend in the number of V/PDs over the past several years, recording four in 2015, three in 2016, one in 2017 and zero in 2018.
About Van Nuys Airport
VNY is one of two airports owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a self-supporting branch of the City of Los Angeles, governed by a seven-member Board of Airport Commissioners appointed by the mayor and approved by the Los Angeles City Council.
One of the world's busiest general aviation airports, VNY serves as a valued San Fernando Valley resource, providing ongoing leadership in general aviation, business and community service. Dedicated to noncommercial air travel, VNY had over 262,000 operations in 2018. More than 100 businesses are located on the 730-acre airport, including four major fixed-base operators and numerous aviation service companies.
Annually, the airport contributes approximately $2 billion to the Southern California economy and supports over 10,000 jobs. In addition, VNY provides programs to benefit local residents, along with educational initiatives and aviation-related career and training opportunities. For more information, visit lawa.org/vny, like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/VNYOfficial, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/VanNuysAirport and Instagram at instagram.com/vannuysairport.
2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement
Giving back to the community is central to what Charlotte Douglas International Airport and its operator, the City of Charlotte Aviation Department, is about, and last year was no different.
Throughout 2022, while recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued our efforts to have a positive impact on the Charlotte community. Of particular note, we spent the year sharing stories of how Connections Don't Just Happen at the Terminal - from creating homeownership and employment opportunities to supporting economic growth through small-business development and offering outreach programs to help residents understand the Airport better.
This whitepaper highlights the construction projects, initiatives, programs and events that validate Charlotte Douglas as a premier airport.
Download the whitepaper: 2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement.