JSX currently operates 30-seat Embraer 135 and 145 aircraft. They’re adding a third aircraft type, bringing ATR 42-600 turboprops into the fleet which allows “reaching more private terminals…and underserved airports across the United States.”

They will initially lease just two of the planes, however they signed a letter of intent for 15 plus 10 options on either ATR 42-600s or ATR 72-600s. These planes will be configured with ATR’s HighLine interior with 30 seats and they’ll add StarLink internet within a few months (JSX was the launch customer for StarLink in commercial aircraft).

JSX has said this plane potentially opens up “over 1,000 new airports” for them to fly to. We now know the first one they’re planning and it’s a stunner: fresh off of beating Westchester airport in court for the right to operate there, JSX is taking on the one airport that’s been probably the most successful in the country at fighting air service, Santa Monica Municipal (SMO).

ATR HighLine Interior

JSX hasn’t said where they’d fly from Santa Monica. My guesses would be:

• Las Vegas
  
• Oakland
  
• Scottsdale
  
• Napa

Santa Monica is a general aviation airport six miles north of LAX. It was home to the Douglas Aircraft Company, and their DC-1 through DC-7 aircraft were built there. The airport was where the first plane to circumnavigate the world took off from and landed in 1924. During World War II it was disguised as a fake town to throw off enemies who might wish to bomb it.

The city has been fighting for decades to limit and close the airport. Their noise restrictions (95 dBA ‘Single Event Noise Exposure Level’) and curfew rules (no engine starts or takeoffs 11 p.m. – 7 a.m. weekdays, until 8 a.m. weekends) are some of the few allowed in the country since they are grandfathered under the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990.

They even managed to shorten the runway to just 3,500 feet with FAA sign‑off under a 2017 consent decree. And the city has the right to close the airport after Dec 31, 2028 under that decree (upheld by the D.C. Circuit).

The ATR‑42‑600 should be capable of operating there. And at just 30 seats there should be enough of a payload limit that it won’t be challenged in hot temperatures.

I’d expect stiff pushback from the City’s anti‑airport coalitions – groups that have campaigned to limit and close the airport:

• they’ll likely oppose by‑the‑seat service on noise grounds
  
• and argue that a non-part 139 airport cannot be used for scheduled charters with more than 9 seats, although JSX does this in places like Napa and Taos.

JSX is clear that they have ‘applied’ to offer service. Santa Monica requires any commercial flight activity to hold a City‑issued Operations Permit. The Airport Commission considers the application and it is approved, denied, or conditioned by the City Manager.

Grounds for denial would be compliance with the Airport Plan, and noise and environmental restrictions, or failing to meet federal requirements. If this is approved, they’ll surely be checking noise levels on every flight.