King City making airport updates to prepare for evolving aviation technology

Last week King City completed its airport layout plan at Mesa Del Rey Airport. The mayor says that will help the city compete for FAA grants to further improve the airport.

The plan includes runway updates with new lighting and a surveillance system.

“Its important that we get ahead of the game to put in these upgrades that are necessary,” King City Mayor Mike Lebarre said. “When these technologies come over the next 10 to 20 years and they start rolling out the opportunities are waiting for them.”

The goal is for the airport to one day be used as a regional hub. Right now there are only a few flight options out of south county and some welcome the idea of more flights out of King City.

“You don’t have to go all the way to San Jose, instead it would just be here to L.A. or wherever you want to go,” Ulises Barios said.

The plans are being put forth to prepare for future aviation technology. Mayor Lebarre plans to take advantage of opportunities to become a regional hub for transit by partnering with aircraft manufacturers like Lilium and Zunum Aero that make hybrid and electric airplanes.

“Zunum Aero’s model is connecting 13,000 thousand small airports across the country and making them regional hubs for small flights,” Lebarre said.

The goal is to have cheaper flights, bring more tourism to the area and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“I’m very much in favor of autonomous vehicles electrification of vehicles I see that as our future so thats where I came across these companies and started incorporating their needs into our plans,” Lebarre said.