AIRPORT AND TERMINAL-AREA OPERATIONS: OPERATOR'S PERSPECTIVE

The growing lack of airport capacity and resultant delays is one of the major problems facing the aviation industry today, and it is expected to become more severe unless mitigating steps are taken. Runway and land-use restrictions, airspace constraints, and environmental considerations have all become factors affecting an airfield capacity already overtaxed during peak periods when demand exceeds airport capacity. To significantly increase future airport capacity and reduce delays there must be improvements to airspace procedures and improvements to airports. Suggested airspace procedure improvements include the development of a Wake Vortex Alleviation System to allow reduced separation standards under certain meteorological conditions, and the redefinition of heavy aircraft by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in order to reclassify such as the DC-8, B767, and A300/A310 to large, rather than heavy. In addition to these improvements, noise abatement constraints should be reviewed so that the new generation of Stage 3 quieter may allow the opening of previously restricted overflight areas. There are several modifications or improvements to Terminal-Area Air Traffic Control Procedures which offer benefits to airport operations. Airport improvements can be brought about by research into an advanced system for the provision of surface movement guidance and control, and by examining possible alternatives such as the development of a system of VTOL facilities strategically located in the City Centers to serve the significant short-haul passenger markets and remove this activity from the airport.