Growing Planes at Long Beach Airport

Collin James

When Jess Romo first landed in Long Beach Airport in 2003 he had little idea that he would one day be its director.

“Previously it was a series of bungalows and modulars, which was not the greatest experience,” Romo said at a Rotary Club meeting on April 19. This was almost a decade before the modern concourse was constructed one of the many changes which Romo calls “night and day” for the airport.

The airport has changed drastically since then, and flew 2.8 million passengers last year, making it the second busiest airport in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. This year, it is on track to move 700,000 more passengers than last year.

“We are constantly rated one of the top airports in the country,” Romo said. “If you compare it to LAX, there really is no comparison.  It is a true enjoyment to come to Long Beach Airport.”

In the coming months it will be home to one of the first rideshare pick-up programs for an airport and even experimental space launch vehicles.

On April 5, the airport launched a pilot program to permit passenger pick-up with ride share companies.

“They have always been allowed to drop-off, but now they can pick-up giving passengers more choices,” Romo said. The airport charges a $3 service fee for these ride share program. In the weeks since the program has been implemented, companies such as Uber and Lyft becoming a dominant force in moving people out of the airport.

“They are doing the majority of the ground transportation operations,” he said. 

Not only is the airport growing in the number of passengers it is continuing to diversify its functions.

Virgin Orbit (formerly known as Virgin Galactic) recently opened a rocket manufacturing plant within the airport’s facilities.

“[Virgin Orbit] just announced they want to bring in a custom 747 specifically outfitted to receive a rocket,” Romo said. These planes are designed to carry and launch a rocket mid-flight. The 747 is expected to begin test flights this summer.

Romo also highlighted the many powerful aircraft hosted at LGB: the LA County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue helicopters, Gulfstream private planes - which receive their final paint job here - and F-18 fighter jets.

“They are loud, and they are exempt from the noise ordinance,” Romo said.

These and other enterprises contribute to the 18,000 jobs at the airport, or roughly 6 percent of the city’s workforce.

Future changes additions to the airport include adding a new baggage and ticketing area which is already under construction. A new rental car facility is in the planning stages.

Many of these changes are part of an ongoing rebranding effort which began in 2015.

“We want to make sure people really saw us as that Southern California destination venue,” and not just a cheap alternative to LAX, Romo said. “Where else can you go and sit by an open pit fire in the shade of some palms trees and see your aircraft feet away from where you are sitting?” 

collin@beachcomber.news

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