Catalina Airport in the Sky Runway Repair
While most book a boat ride to Catalina Island, millions of airline travelers each year see this scene or similar views from their cozy little seats in commercial airlines flying in and out of Orange County’s John Wayne Airport, Long Beach Airport, LAX, or along the coastal route from San Diego and far-flung destinations. It’s Catalina’s Islands connection to the world known as The Airport in the Sky.
Recently massive repairs to the airport’s 3,000-foot-long main runway began with a unique partnership between owner/operator Catalina Island Conservancy and U.S. Marines and Navy. Matching community needs with military training opportunities through the Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training Program, Marines and sailors spend approx. three months replacing the airstrip’s asphalt and concrete. The effort ensures that the airport stays open for years to come, while providing training opportunities to prepare troops for deployment on islands and remote locations where airports and other infrastructure needs take place.
Airport in the Sky is critical to commerce, tourism, and life on Catalina as it serves as the hub for delivery of U.S. Mail, UPS, and even emergency & medical supplies, with approx. 3.5 million pounds of freight passing through the airport annually.
There’s an encampment of tents, housing and food service for around 100 Marines & Seabees expected to finish the project in late March 2019.
What’s happening on the Island?
- The famed Avalon Theatre now offers different first-run movies weekly, and is adding beer, wine and hot food selections such as flatbreads and pizza to the existing concessions. You can still hear a pipe organ concert before movies on Saturdays & Sundays.
- Catalina Marathon is set for Mar.9, 2019.
- Catalina Chamber upcoming events list includes free concerts on the Wrigley Stage starting with a St. Patrick’s celebration Mar.16. See catalinachamber.com
