A major development at Camarillo Airport is moving forward with limited public input — and that should concern Ventura County residents. At issue is RFP AIR 2026-01, a proposal to develop a 4.1-acre site and a separate 5-acre parcel for general aviation uses or expanded private jet facilities.
The request for proposals (RFP) was issued on December 31, 2025 — during the holidays and without meaningful public notification. In January, the RFP did not appear on the agenda of either the Aviation Advisory Commission (AAC) or the Camarillo Airport Authority (CAA), receiving only a brief mention in the Director’s report.
The proposals were due by Feb. 12. Notably, both the AAC and CAA meetings were canceled in February, eliminating a key opportunity for public awareness and discussion. The community’s first opportunity to hear what was being proposed came in March — after proposals had been submitted to the airport for over a month.
Three RFP development plans are under consideration. One would expand private jet services and relocate dozens of existing public-use hangars across the runway. Another would rebuild those hangars while expanding nearby private jet facilities. A third would relocate the public hangars and add new small- and mid-sized units better suited for local pilots.
These are not minor changes. They could significantly reshape how the airport is used — potentially reducing access for general aviation users while expanding facilities that primarily serve private jets.
What is most troubling is not just the substance of the proposals, but the speed and lack of transparency of the process. Airport staff are now ranking the proposals without any further input or meetings. Requests for basic transparency measures as the proposals are being evaluated have gone unanswered. A single community “Open House” on June 16 is being held after the developer has been selected. Negotiations addressing proposal changes and lease terms will then be undertaken by airport staff, preventing further scrutiny of important details such as lease terms that are reportedly up to 40 years in length.
In addition, during the March meeting the applicants were asked by members of the Camarillo Airport Authority to consider making changes after the proposals had been submitted, undermining a proper bidding process. Decisions with decades-long consequences are moving forward with minimal public engagement, limited opportunities for input, and questionable bidding protocols.
By July, a final proposal decision is expected to be presented to decision-makers potentially determining the course of the airport’s future. The public can view the proposal presentations, Camarillo Airport Authority questions, and public comment at the March 12th Camarillo Airport Authority meeting on the Save Our Skies Camarillo website (www.saveourskiescamarillo.com).
Camarillo Airport is a public asset. Its role in serving the community — especially general aviation users — should remain central to any long-term planning decisions. That requires a process that is open, transparent, and inclusive. The Airport Authority should pause this process and ensure multiple accessible opportunities for public review and comment before any agreement is finalized.
Ventura County residents deserve a voice in decisions shaping their airport for decades. The noise and air quality impacts of these proposals should be fully studied and considered before any decisions are made. Addressing health and safety issues and a transparent process are essential. Responsible development requires inclusive decision-making —and public assets like the Camarillo Airport must prioritize community input and concerns over private gain.
Camarillo residents Lauren De La Torre and Renee Hatcher are the founders of Save Our Skies Camarillo.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Don’t rush a 40-year decision at Camarillo Airport | Your Turn
Reporting by Lauren De La Torre and Renee Hatcher, Your Turn / Ventura County Star
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