Neighborhood groups fighting to force an environmental review of JSX's charter flights at Santa Monica Airport lost their case on Wednesday, July 1, when a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled that federal law shields the airline from California's environmental review process.

Judge Curtis A. Kin sustained a demurrer — a motion arguing the lawsuit fails as a matter of law even if all its facts are true — filed by the City of Santa Monica and JSX. He found that the federal Airline Deregulation Act preempts the California Environmental Quality Act and denied the plaintiffs leave to amend, meaning they cannot refile a revised petition in trial court.

The ruling is a blow to Measure LC Defense, No Jets, and Friends of Sunset Park, the coalition of residents who sued the city in late 2025. They argued JSX's 30-passenger ATR 42-600 turboprops represent "a fundamental shift from general aviation to commercial air service" and that the city should have conducted a full CEQA review before issuing JSX a permit and lease.

The plaintiffs also contended that JSX operations could more than double monthly jet fuel consumption at the airport, from roughly 30,000 gallons to 66,000 gallons, worsening air quality in surrounding neighborhoods.

Kin rejected two other preemption arguments the defendants raised under the Federal Aviation Act and the Airport Noise and Capacity Act, finding only the Airline Deregulation Act applicable.

Plaintiffs 'disappointed,' consulting counsel

In an email to supporters, the plaintiff coalition said it is "disappointed by the ruling" and is "discussing procedural steps with counsel." The deadline to file an appeal was not stated in available court records.

"We continue to believe the public deserves meaningful environmental review and transparency regarding the City's approval of JSX's operating permit and an extensive lease of publicly owned airport property," the groups wrote.

Neither the city nor JSX issued a public statement about the ruling.

JSX expanding service

JSX launched flights from Santa Monica to Las Vegas in December 2025 under a three-year lease running through November 30, 2028. The carrier announced it will add nonstop Santa Monica-to-Oakland service starting Monday, September 14, with fares from $149.

The lease aligns with the city's plan to permanently close the airport at midnight on December 31, 2028, under a 2017 federal consent decree with the FAA. City Manager Oliver Chi said when the permit was approved that all airport leases will expire or be terminated before the closure date. Separately, the City Council on Tuesday, June 9, accepted a $10 million state grant for the airport's planned conversion to a public park after the 2028 closure.