Europe's major airports are facing a capacity shortage that could end up redefining the air traffic map. Both airport and airline officials have been increasingly vocal about looming airport capacity problems. The focus of the difficulties is the overloading of a small part of the system, said Philippe Hammond, general secretary of Airports Council International Europe.
Some European airports have too much traffic, but most have too little.
It's a matter of redirecting traffic from the former to the latter. A new runway is being considered under a long-term study of London area airports currently underway, but it would require considerable land purchases. Berlin is one of many second-tier hubs looking to benefit from congestion at major international gateways. However, tight operational restrictions demanded by the Greens and local residents could force management to abandon the plan and construct an all-new offshore airport. Frankfurt recently added a new pier and people-mover system but is running into stiff opposition in its effort to build a fourth runway.