Plans for Commercial Air Service at Palmdale Delayed

Commercial service at Palmdale Airport, which had been scheduled to restart April 2, is being delayed for at least a month because of unresolved issues over security, officials said.

Scenic Airlines, which has proposed offering daily nonstop flights in 19-seat passenger planes between Palmdale and North Las Vegas Airport, will continue working with airport officials, the federal government and the Air Force to develop a security plan, said Mary Schneider, executive vice president for the airline.

Federal law requires only minimal security at airports that serve few passengers. But the Air Force is demanding a higher level of screening for Palmdale Airport’s passengers and baggage because it operates a top-secret research facility nearby.

Palmdale has not had any commercial flights since United Express pulled out in 1998, citing lack of business.