Lindbergh Field looks at next steps after Miramar plan rejected

[question everything]

Lindbergh Field looks at next steps after Miramar plan rejected

More congestion likely, officials say
By Jeff Ristine
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

November 9, 2006

In the final days of the Proposition A campaign, opponents of an airport at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station needled supporters with a live Web cam focused on the Lindbergh Field runway. Slow activity at midday, they argued, undercut the idea that Lindbergh Field is in any danger of running out of room for additional arrivals and departures.

Had the camera shown the Southwest or United Airlines terminal waiting areas at another time of day, viewers might have gotten a different perspective. During morning peaks, every gate-area seat is filled, and lines at security checkpoints stretch out the door, said airport planning manager Ted Anasis.

(snip)

As the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority ponders how to proceed after the defeat of its Miramar measure, it may surprise some travelers to learn Lindbergh Field already is over capacity in some areas. A shortfall of two gates, by the airport's reckoning, contributes to the tough morning crunch inside some terminals. Staying at Lindbergh may mean more gates and other improvements at San Diego International and a less flexible approach to scheduling commercial airline flights. The authority also is looking into improvements to public transit.


(snip)

Elsewhere, New York's LaGuardia and other airports have attempted to use “slots” to allocate takeoff and landing times to airlines. “It's like buying a ticket to the movies,” said Bob Hazel, an aviation consultant. “It's a pass to the airport.” In practice, the system can work well for established airlines, Hazel said, while making it difficult or impossible for new airlines to come in. “It's not a clean system by any means,” he said. With or without financial incentives, Bowens said, it is hard to push airlines into off-peak hours.

(snip)

Jeff Ristine: [phone]; [e-mail]


Find this article at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20061109-9999-6m9miramar.html

[MindPilot]

1. San Diego does not need a new airport

We are not a hub and never will be. There are two major international airports within 100 miles (LAX & TJ). A downtown airport makes San Diego very attractive for conventions, servicing cruise ships and as a business destination.

They want to alleviate congestion? Run a bullet train between here and LAX for international and jumbo jet flights.

They ONLY people who think a new airport is a good idea are the developers who stand to make a fortune off the land.

[Klimmer]

2. In my opinion,the best site for expanding Lindbergh Field is . . .

not Miramar, which would have an enormous environmental effect. Some of the largest endangered vernal pools in San Diego County exist right where they want to put the civilian airport, and Fairy Shrimp are endangered and Federally protected. Not only that the air-traffic corridors would have to be radically adjusted. No bueno.

Lindbergh Field needs to expand into North Island. They took North Island off the table, because that is where so many retired naval officers and other rich elite live. But North Island is perfect. It is ready to go, no real environmental impacts that aren't already true for the Navy being there at this time, and wouldn't require changing the air-traffic corridors significantly. It would increase noise for retired Navy and rich elite, but too bad. The navy is already there, we are just talking more jets, more of the same.

North Island should be reinstated as an option and put back on the table and it really should be Lindbergh Field's expansion. It is a natural fit. Every other alternative has serious environmental impacts and affects many more people.

North Island is it.