The Ventura County Department of Airports would like to send our sincere gratitude to those who were able to attend Tuesday night’s Open House focusing on the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for the 4.1 and 1.9 acre parcels at Camarillo Airport. We appreciate the opportunity to address the misinformation that has been circulating and to also answer questions from those in attendance. The meeting was recorded and the full recording, including the PowerPoint presentation, will be available within the next week. We will share that once it is available.
It is important to note that RFP requirements, for all government entities, do not call for public input. As a reference, the process typically is brought to the public when the RFP is being issued. From there, ranking and lease negotiations happen internally, and then the final lease terms are presented publicly (in the Airports’ case) before the Aviation Advisory Commission, Airport Authorities, and eventually Board of Supervisors.
However, the Department of Airports recognized early into this process that our stakeholders (including the community) had a strong desire to better understand these two particular projects and any changes they may or may not cause for the community. Because of this, we pivoted from what is typically an internal process to include public meetings to ensure that we were fully transparent throughout the process.
Lastly, we are sharing information below that addresses some of the misinformation that has been circulating.
Rumor has it that the Airport didn’t provide an opportunity for public input and rushed this RFP process?
The fact is that this has been a multi-year (three years to be exact) process that started with the Airport Layout Plan for Camarillo Airport as well as the simultaneous Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study. The Department of Airports has held eight public meetings that have involved the RFP process alone since September 2025. Last night’s Open House served as the ninth public meeting. This has included Aviation Advisory Commission meetings and Airport Authority meetings in September, November, January, and March. Additionally, the Department met with the Save Our Skies Camarillo team in January to discuss the process.
Rumor has it that the Airport is focused on expansion.
Fact: The Airport continues to be consistent with the JPA (no expansion of runway, no commercial airline service, and no large air cargo). We also remain consistent with the 2011 Airport Master Plan, the 2025 Airport Layout Plan Update and 2025 Airport Noise Study. However, we also have federal obligations to meet aviation transportation demands.
Rumor has it that the Airport is giving preference to larger aircraft and reducing parking for smaller aircraft.
Fact: Not true. Any proposal that includes removal of the existing small hangars, is required to replace the hangars in similar number/size at a new location.
Aviation forecasts reflect the majority of airport operations in 20 years remain single engine, smaller aircraft.
Rumor has it that the developer will build the big hangar and then never build the smaller general aviation hangars.
Fact: Lease terms will require the developer to complete the replacement of smaller hangars before construction on the larger hangars will be approved.
Rumor has it that the Airport is trying to bring more jets, the idea that if we build it, they will come.
Fact: We are not. Existing businesses solicited the Airport to build additional hangars to accommodate current demand.
Rumor has it that Ventura County can just say no to future development, no to jets, no to piston airplanes and no to helicopters.
Fact: No. The Airport is obligated under the original 1977 Deed & Grant Assurances to participate in the national transportation system. The Airport is also prohibited from discriminating against type of aeronautical activities where opportunities exist.
Rumor has it that the project will bring more jet traffic to CMA. Specifically, it is claimed that the Top Ranked proposal for the 4.1 acre site will increase new large jets at Camarillo Airport by 20-40.
Fact: These development proposals are expected to bring between 5-10 new based jet aircraft, as is seen with similarly-sized properties already in use. However, the Top Ranked Proposal (Air7) has indicated that they will use a percentage of the new larger hangar space for existing tenants and the remaining space for a new MRO which will keep based jet aircraft from having to fly out and in empty for repairs.
Rumor has it that the Top Ranked developer for the 4.1 acre site plans to immediately turn around and sell the lease and that any obligations made will not be upheld.
Fact: Not true. And, even if this were to happen, the lease will include language that protects the interests of the Airport and the public where transfers of ownership occur. New owners assume the original obligations and security requirements. Required Performance Bonds provide security for the completion of the improvements.
Rumor has it that the City of Camarillo and its Citizens do not see financial benefits from the Airport, only the burden.
Camarillo Airport contributes in many ways to the City, community, and County through public services (Fire service, Caltrans, Sheriff) and there are direct economic benefits. The information you are seeing here includes information from our 2019 Economic Impact study, which we will be doing again in the next year or two. At that time the Airports’ contributions included a combined more than $13 million in tax revenues paid between Camarillo and Oxnard airports, with nearly $11 million of that coming from Camarillo Airport. In 2025 alone, Camarillo Airport generated more than $9.6 million in airplane personal property tax revenues that went directly back to the County, City of Camarillo, and the Camarillo public school system, each receiving over $3.2 million.
As we expressed at the meeting Tuesday, the Department of Airports remains committed to balancing the interests of all stakeholders, including the community, and to doing so in a transparent way.