Congressman Ruiz Advocates to Repurpose the Banning Municipal Airport to Bring Economic Growth to the Region

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25) released the following statement after his amendment was included in the final passage of the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act:

“I am pleased to include an amendment to study the closure and repurposing of the costly and seldomly used Banning Municipal Airport through the Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act that will bring economic and job growth opportunities to our communities,” said Dr. Ruiz. “By working with the City of Banning, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, local businesses and residents, I am hopeful the Act will pass in Congress and become law.”

BACKGROUND: 

In 2016, the City of Banning, located in CA-25, commissioned an Airport Feasibility Study to analyze the future of the Banning Municipal Airport. The study showed a 71% reduction in traffic over the previous 5 years, and today the airport only holds 16 planes. Due to a lack of needed infrastructure and amenities, the study determined that the airport could not successfully compete with other airports for business.  

Banning has been working to close this airport since 2017 but cannot do so without legislation. The disadvantaged City of Banning continues to dispense resources to keep the airport running while the land it sits on has great potential to be repurposed for industrial businesses such as distribution, logistics, e-commerce, and manufacturing to bring jobs and economic growth to the community. 

The closure of this airport will also benefit the Morongo Band of Mission Indians by removing aviation easements on lands held in trust adjacent to the airport.