# Presentation: 897809

## Airport Capacity BenchmarksTrends and Issues in Airport Utilization

**William J. Swedish **
**Thomas P. Berry, Jr.**
**18 March 2003**
***Presentation to the ******Annual Energy Outlook 2003 Conference***

## “We need a set of capacity benchmarks to understand the impact of airline scheduling and what relief can realistically be provided by the ATC modernization effort, new controller procedures and new ground infrastructure in the near and longer term.”  
Kenneth Mead, DOT Inspector General
Hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, 14 September 2000

**“*****We need a set of capacity benchmarks to understand the impact of airline scheduling and what relief can realistically be provided by the ATC modernization effort, new controller procedures and new ground infrastructure in the near and longer term*****.”  **
**Kenneth Mead, DOT Inspector General**
**Hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, 14 September 2000**

**Objectives of Benchmarks**

## Capacity Benchmark Report

**Capacity Benchmark Report**

**Methodology**
- •     Between October 2000 and April 2001, the FAA      and MITRE/CAASD developed capacity benchmarks      for 31 airports.

## Description of Benchmarks

**Benchmarks are a starting point for public policy discussions**
**Benchmarks are a *****sustainable***** level of operations for the given conditions**
**Can be exceeded occasionally**
**Lower rates can be expected if conditions are worse**
**Two Benchmark rates per airport **
**Optimum Rate – best weather and runway configuration**
**Reduced Rate – most commonly used configuration in adverse weather**
**Capacity benchmarks combined actual data and computer models**

## Example of Methodology – Atlanta (ATL)

**Step 1. Use operational counts (FAA data) to determine actual hourly throughputs**

## Example of Methodology – Atlanta (ATL)

**Step 2. Compare to rates reported by facility**

## Estimated using Enhanced Airfield Capacity Model (E-ACM)

**Step 3. Calculate capacity for the reported operations**

- Estimated using Enhanced Airfield Capacity Model (E-ACM)

**Example of Methodology – Atlanta (ATL)**

## Example of Methodology – Atlanta (ATL)

**Example of Methodology – Atlanta (ATL)**

## ATL Benchmark Summary

**New runways and other improvements will increase capacity**

## Benefit of a New Runway Depends on Current Configuration, Use of New Runway

**Airports ordered by average delay (CY2000)**

## Technology and Procedural Improvements Provide Benefit of 0–17 Percent

**Airports ordered by average delay (CY2000)**

## Actual operations are limited by airport capacity

**Actual operations are limited by airport capacity**

## Actual operations are limited by airport capacity

**Actual operations are limited by airport capacity**

## Airlines are Adjusting Schedules in ResponseAmerican’s DFW Rolling Hub

**Notes:**
Understanding external factors that affect airline service providers is part of evaluating any capacity strategy.

## Changes in DemandNetwork carriers have lost a record $15 billion in the past 24 months, while the low cost carriers remained profitable

## Low Cost Carriers Frequently Use Secondary Airports in Major Markets

**1980**

**1985**

**1990**

**1995**

**2000**

**2002**

**Low Cost Carriers Frequently Use Secondary Airports in Major Markets**

**BWI**

**BUR**

**MDW**

**DAL**

**FLL**

**HOU**

**ISP**

**MHT**

**ONT**

**SNA**

**PVD**

**SJC**

**OAK**

**PBI**

**LGB**

## Metropolitan Areas Continue to Grow

- More RJ’s, less peaky hubs

- Some Bizjets

- Increased Secondary Traffic

**Metropolitan Areas Continue to Grow**

## Expect Traffic to Change in the Following Ways

**More flights by ****low cost carriers**** as they leverage their cost advantages**
**More flights by ****regional jets**** operated by regional airlines as network carrier transfer routes**
**Some ****business jets and fractional**** or on-demand traffic increases**

- A more diverse set of users with more evenly distributed influence

## Volume Will Return but with Changes in its Distribution

**Airports**
**Major airports**** may reach capacity limits**
**Even though planned improvements will increase capacity**
**New runways, where possible, provide largest increase**
**Secondary airport**** growth in major metropolitan areas**
**Fewer hubs**** as airlines restructure**
**Rolling, ****less peaky hubs**** will become standard practice**