Van Nuys Airport

Van Nuys private airport is an important hub for business travelers in the San Fernando Valley, serving greater Los Angeles. Known as one of the busiest general aviation airports in the world, Van Nuys offers aircraft services and a full range of ground transportation options, including car rentals, taxis, limousines, and more. 

Van Nuys Airport serves general aviation traffic, including private and corporate aircraft charters and flight schools, and typically does not handle scheduled commercial flights.

The airport plays a vital role in reducing congestion at busy airports such as Los Angeles International. It also provides a base for fire, police, air ambulance, search and rescue, and news media aircraft that serve the region.

About Van Nuys Airport

Shortly after LAX was opened in 1928, a small group of citizens established Van Nuys Airport (previously known as Metropolitan Airport). Metropolitan Airport served as a place where daring pilots could try out their new flying machines as they endeavored to pave the way for modern aviation; that’s why, over the years, Van Nuys has been the home of several record-breaking flights, including: 

  • Herbert Fahy’s solo endurance record in 1929 lasting 37 hours. 
  • Elinor Smith’s and Bobbi Trout’s endurance records of 42 hours in 1929.

The corporation that established the Metropolitan Airport ended during the Great Depression. Still, Hollywood Film production, which had enjoyed the services of the airport in its time, helped save it.

Los Angeles World Airports owns and manages L.A. airports, including Van Nuys Airport and Los Angeles International. The airport system is managed by a policy-making Board of Airport Commissioners elected by Los Angeles’ Mayor. Van Nuys is home to news, medical transport, tour helicopter operators, the Los Angeles City Fire Department’s air operations section, and a repair facility for the Los Angeles Police Department & Los Angeles Department of Water and Power helicopters.

In 2021, Van Nuys Airport handled over 300,000 take-offs and landings, and a 2015 study claimed that the airport creates an economic impact worth US$2 billion and offers more than 10,000 job opportunities. 

Note: The FAA airport tower at Van Nuys is open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:45 PM. 

Famous Scenes & Filming at VNY

The prestigious and historic Van Nuys Airport has been featured in several iconic movies, including Casablanca, the Season 1 episode of Entourage, and several music videos from Brtiney Spears, Blink-182, and Metallica. It has also been the setting for science fiction and action movies. Today, it’s still a sought-after filming location, appearing in Oceans 13, The Office, Glee, and CSI – to name a few.

Van Nuys Airport: Key Facts

  1. Airport Codes: 
    1. IATA code: VNY
    2. ICAO code: KVNY
    3. FAA LID: VNY
  2. Location (Lat/Long): N34-12.6 and W118-29.4
  3. Hours of Operation: Although this airport is open 24 hours a day, this is restricted, and the control tower only operates from 06:00 to 22:45.
  4. Fixed-Base Operator (FBO): VNY has 6 FBOs, namely:
    1. Castle & Cooke Aviation
    2. Clay Lacy Aviation
    3. Jet Aviation
    4. Signature Flight Support East & West
    5. The Park VNY (Propeller Aircraft Exclusively) 
  5. Runways: It has two runways. One 8,000 feet in length, and another training runway that is 4,000 feet long.
  6. U.S. Customs: The airport offers U.S. Customs & Border Protection with specific operating hours.
  7. Address: 16461 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA, 91406
  8. Phone: (818) 442-6500

Van Nuys Fixed-Base Operator (FBO)

The Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs) at Van Nuys Airport provide many services, such as aviation fueling, aircraft sales, jet charter, airplane maintenance, storage, and parking, among others. In addition, the airport hosts businesses that provide various additional services such as aircraft repairs, avionics, interior work, and the like. 

Van Nuys Airport has 6 FBOs providing the above services, namely:

  1. Castle & Cooke Aviation
  2. Clay Lacy Aviation
  3. Jet Aviation
  4. Signature Flight Support East & West
  5. The Park at VNY

Van Nuys Airport Runways

The Van Nuys Airport has two parallel runways:

  1. 16R/34L – 8,001 ft. long
  2. 16L/34R – 4,011 ft. long

The main runway is 8,001 feet long and comes with a full instrument landing system and an FAA tower. The training runway is 4,011 feet long.

Departure Techniques

The pilots are required to observe the following guidelines for take-off/departure. 

  1. The preferred runway for all jet aircraft is Runway 16R
  2. For all jet departures, the entire length of Runway 16R/34L will be used
  3. Unless instructed by air traffic control, a climb straight out over the flood basin before starting turn is needed for Runways 16R/16L. While for Runways 34R/34L, unless instructed by air traffic control, a climb to an altitude of 1,800 feet before starting turn.
  4. Any repetitive jet operations, training, or pattern flying is not permitted.

Van Nuys Airport: Noise Programs

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has established Noise Programs to minimize the noise levels and harmful impacts in neighborhood communities of airports. The local noise abatement regulations and voluntary noise abatement programs serve this purpose with faithful collaboration with all relevant stakeholders. 

Quieter Nights Program 2020

Jet Aircraft are encouraged to avoid operations between 11 PM & 7 AM, local time, whenever possible unless these are partaking in military, law enforcement, emergency, fire, or air ambulance/life flight operations.

Partial Curfew

The Curfew Ordinance, in tandem with the Noise Abatement regulations, imposes a partial curfew on the operations and take-off of aircraft during late night hours. 

  1. As per Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular 36-3, Stage 2 aircraft are prohibited from departing between the hours of 10 PM & 7 AM. Stage 3 aircraft (newer or modified jet-engine aircraft that produce less noise) are not affected by the curfew until 11 PM. In this case, medical emergencies and military flights are exempted. 
  2. There are no restrictions in place on landings or helicopters.
  3. There is also a prohibition on touch-and-go operations between 9 PM & 7 AM.

LAX FlyAway® Bus

To facilitate comfortable transfer for passengers to & from Los Angeles International Airport, the LAX FlyAway® Bus is an operational airport shuttle service. The service connects LAX and a bus terminal near Van Nuys Airport or Los Angeles Union Station. It provides scheduled round trips every day with fares at $9.75 one way. 

VNY Sustainability

When it comes to aviation sustainability, Van Nuys Airport is at the forefront by achieving many feats, such as Level 2 Optimisation through the Airport’s Council International’s Airport Carbon Accreditation program. This certification is the highest level before a facility achieves carbon neutrality. Van Nuys Airport fulfills this commitment and sustainability-first approach via the following projects:

  • Solar
  • Fuel
  • Electric Vehicles
  • Stormwater 
  • LAWA Sustainability Reports
  • Energy Management

Nearby Airports

Van Nuys Airport is a crucial point in Los Angeles and connects with many airports, and these are:

  1. Hollywood Burbank Airport [previously Bob Hope Airport]: ~8 miles
  2. Los Angeles International Airport: ~26 miles
  3. Long Beach Airport: ~40 miles
  4. L.A./Ontario International Airport: ~63 miles
  5. John Wayne Airport: ~60 miles
  6. Santa Barbara SBA: ~90 miles
  7. Bakersfield BFL: ~100 miles

Van Nuys Airport: Popular Private Jet Travel Routes

OriginDestinationFlight Time[Approx]Private Jet CategoryPassenger Capacity
Van NuysNew York5 hoursSuper Midsize Jet8-9
Van NuysHawaii6 hoursHeavy Jet12-18
Vancouver BCVan Nuys2.5 hoursLight Jet4-7
DenverVan Nuys2 hoursMidsize Jet6-8

You can explore our diverse fleet at JetOptions and choose the one that best fits your travel needs. For instance, our clients prefer to fly in various jet categories ranging from light jets, midsize, and super-midsize, to heavy jets. Some prominent jets in these categories are:

Van Nuys: Things to Explore

Want to explore the most sought-after municipality in San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles? Here are the top recommendations.

  • Woodley Park
  • 1932 Art Deco Valley Municipal Building (Van Nuys City Hall)
  • Van Nuys Airport Public Observation Area
  • The Japanese Garden
  • Sherman Oaks Castle Park
  • Sepulveda Dam Bike Path
  • The Burbank Aviation Museum
  • Santa Monica State Beach
  • Rodeo Drive

Why JetOptions

  • ARGUS and Wyvern registered company. 
  • Book any aircraft, anytime, anywhere, often in 2-3 hours or less. 
  • Travel with peace of mind on a plane that meets and exceeds FAA safety standards and is certified by ARGUS and Wyvern. Additionally, the aircraft is insured for $50,000,000 to $250,000,000. 
  • 24/7 Complimentary Concierge services include Medical Staff Escorts, Security, Ground Transportation, and Hotels. 
  • Access an Aviation Account Executive 24/7.
  • Get optimum rates in the market without sacrificing safety
  •  Premium aircraft condition is guaranteed.
  • Fly in authentic one-way charters, and one-way rates are guaranteed. (Restricted to specific routes)
  • Get a complimentary upgrade when available.

FAQs

How Far Is Van Nuys From LAX Airport?

The Van Nuys Airport is approximately 26 miles away from Los Angeles International Airport.

Does Van Nuys Airport Have Commercial Flights?

No, Van Nuys Airport is dedicated to non-commercial flights such as private jets and corporate aircraft charter.

How Long Is The Runway Van Nuyes Airport?

There are two runways in Van Nuys Airport- the main runway is 8,001 feet long, and the training runway is 4,011 feet long.

What Is The Closest Airport To Van Nuys?

The closest airport to Van Nuys is Hollywood Burbank Airport, approximately 8 miles away. 

What are the operational hours of Van Nuys Airport?

Although this airport is open 24 hours a day, this is restricted, and the control tower only operates from 06:00 to 22:45.

What is the Van Nuys Airport Code?

The airport codes for Van Nuys are IATA code: VNY, ICAO code: KVNY, and FAA LID: VNY.

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