A quiet California town is facing a growing problem, and residents have had enough.
Camarillo, known for its suburban charm and scenic surroundings, is increasingly being used as a parking lot for private jets belonging to celebrities and billionaires.
Locals say the constant roar of these planes, flying in and out at all hours, is disrupting their daily lives and robbing them of peace.
Celebrity Jets Flood the Small Airport
Planes linked to high-profile figures like Kylie Jenner, Jay-Z, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk frequently touch down at Camarillo’s regional airport.
Many of these aircrafts arrive empty after dropping off their passengers at Van Nuys Airport, a busy private jet hub closer to Los Angeles.
Instead of staying there, pilots often relocate the jets to Camarillo, where parking fees are lower.
The issue isn’t just about air traffic—it’s about noise.
Renee Hatcher, a long-time resident and co-founder of Save Our Skies Camarillo (S.O.S Camarillo), describes the experience as unbearable.
“They fly all day and all night. The noise is incredibly disruptive,” she says.
“It’s like having a freight train barreling down on your house, shaking windows and rattling walls.”
Sleepless Nights and Daily Disruptions
Residents say they’re often jolted awake multiple times a night by the deafening roar of private jets.
Even during the day, simple activities like making dinner or having a conversation become frustrating tasks.
“You can’t even talk to your family without shouting over the noise,” Hatcher explains. “It’s exhausting.”
With over 30 private jet operations happening daily and projections suggesting that number could rise to 140, locals worry things will only get worse.
Many point to the closure of Santa Monica Airport by 2028 as a contributing factor, expecting even more jets to shift their operations to Camarillo.
Environmental and Health Concerns
Beyond the noise, residents fear the long-term impact of increased jet activity on their health.
Studies have shown that living near airports can lead to higher rates of hypertension, heart disease, and respiratory problems due to pollutants from jet fuel.
“It’s not just about the sound,” Hatcher emphasizes.
“The emissions from these planes are affecting our air quality and putting our health at risk.”
Community Pushback Against Celebrity Jet Owners
The frustration has reached a boiling point, with S.O.S Camarillo taking to social media to call out celebrity jet owners.
They’ve tracked flights using online tools, highlighting instances where private planes arrive in the middle of the night, disturbing an entire community in the process.
Posts have specifically targeted Kylie Jenner, urging her to be more considerate and take alternative flight paths over farmland instead of residential areas.
One post showed Jenner’s jet arriving at 12:15 a.m., with the caption: “Time to wake up an entire community! Hey Kylie – you can do better!”
Another criticized Jay-Z’s plane, which landed late at night, with the comment: “Not very nice of Jay-Z to roar into the Camarillo airport without any consideration for the community.”
Residents Demand Action
S.O.S Camarillo is pushing for stricter regulations, including curfews and revised flight paths to direct jets over less populated areas.
While a curfew technically exists for departures between midnight and 5 a.m., violations are frequent, with offenders receiving little more than warning letters.
The group is also calling for a steeper descent approach so jets remain at higher altitudes for longer, reducing the noise impact over residential areas.
However, achieving these changes won’t be easy.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) remains understaffed, and local officials have limited control over air traffic regulations.
“We know this is going to be a long fight,” Hatcher admits.
“But we deserve to live in a community that isn’t treated as a dumping ground for billionaire parking.”
What’s Next for Camarillo?
As private jet traffic increases, the battle between Camarillo residents and celebrity jet owners is far from over.
With growing awareness and community activism, locals are determined to make their voices heard.
The question remains—will the ultra-wealthy take notice and show some consideration, or will Camarillo continue to bear the brunt of their convenience?