Frequently Asked Questions
What has happened since the vote in November 2006 when voters said they did not want to build a new airport at Miramar?
The new Airport Authority Board, which took over in January 2007, has listened to the voters and is now 100% committed to optimizing San Diego International Airport. The board is moving forward and making plans, with public input, to address the region’s air transportation needs.
What are the qualifications of the new board members?
Five of the nine new board members have decades of experience in the aviation industry, including four who are pilots (two former naval aviators, a former marine pilot and a current commercial airline pilot). All board members are experienced local and state leaders, and they represent all areas of the county.
What will happen next?
The Airport Authority Board is currently focusing on extending the life and efficiency of the airport. This is the first step in its plans to provide a comprehensive regional solution for air transportation by studying options like mass transit linkages, a cross-border terminal and remote check-in systems.
Is San Diego International Airport big enough to serve our needs?
More and more people will use SDIA every year, and thus the demand for air services will rise. There is not enough land at the airport to build a second runway, so we must maximize the efficiency of the existing airfield and facilities.
What is being done about planning for our future needs and growth?
The Airport Authority is taking the first step now by preparing plans and getting approvals to build 10 new jet gates, add parking spaces and build a two-level roadway at Terminal 2 for arriving and departing passengers. The Airport Authority Board is focusing on extending the life and efficiency of the airport. This is the first step in its plans to provide a comprehensive regional solution for air travel by studying options like mass transit linkages, a cross-border terminal and remote check-in systems.
Who uses the airport?
18.3 million people flew into and out of San Diego International Airport in 2007. Of those, 53 percent travel for leisure and 47 percent travel for business.
Can’t we just move the cargo operators out and make room for more passenger jets?
Passenger air travel is the main focus at the airport. Cargo represents just 3 percent of airport operations, and it is generally flown into and out of the airport during non-peak hours, so cargo operations don’t really affect the passenger capacity of the airport.
Can’t we just move the small private planes (general aviation) and make room for more passenger jets?
Passenger air travel is the main focus at the airport, with over 90 percent of operations serving passenger aircraft. Small private planes (general aviation) are only about 7 percent of operations. So, general aviation operations don’t really affect the passenger capacity of the airport.
What will happen if we don’t change anything at San Diego International Airport?
Passengers have consistently rated San Diego International Airport as one of the best in the world in terms of customer satisfaction, and local residents appreciate its efficiency and convenience. With increased demand, it is likely that the airport will become busier, which could result in longer lines, less available parking and flight delays for both residents and visitors. Also, airlines set ticket prices based on supply and demand, and some predict that increased demand and limited supply at SDIA could result in higher ticket prices.
What is being done now?
The Airport Authority is studying many options and alternatives to meet air transportation needs through the year 2015 and beyond.
- Terminal Development Program – This plan includes urgently needed short-term improvements such as 10 additional gates and various airfield, parking and on-airport roadway improvements. The EIR for the Terminal Development Program was unanimously certified and adopted by the Airport Authority Board on May 1, 2008.
- Transit and off-airport roadway improvements – Plans are being developed in partnership with other agencies to improve the airport’s connections to the surrounding transportation network.
- Destination Lindbergh - Led by the Ad Hoc Airport Regional Policy Committee, chaired by Mayor Jerry Sanders, Destination Lindbergh addresses the question, "What is the ultimate build-out for Lindbergh Field?"
- Regional Aviation Strategic Plan – San Diego Association of Governments and the Airport Authority are developing a plan to better integrate all county airports, including SDIA, into the region’s overall transportation infrastructure, including freeways and public transit.
- Beyond our borders – The Airport Authority is reaching out to neighboring counties and Mexico to explore more productive interaction between all airports in the region.
What are the long-range plans for the airport?
In April 2008, the Airport Authority, along with its regional planning partners, embarked on Destination Lindbergh, a 10-month journey to take an in-depth look at what Lindbergh Field will look like 20-30 years into the future. To learn more about Destination Lindbergh, click here.
Will there eventually need to be a new airport built on a new site?
The question of a new site was studied and put to the voters in November 2006. At that time, the voters did not recommend pursuing a new airport at Miramar. In light of that, the Airport Authority board’s focus is on fully utilizing San Diego International Airport and seeking ways to improve the region’s air transportation through regional coordination.
Are you looking at a cross-border airport plan with Mexico?
The Airport Authority has selected a consultant team and formed an outside advisory group to lead a study to examine the potential market demand for a cross-border terminal. Initial results of the study are expected by the end of 2007. The idea of a cross-border terminal, which could allow U.S. passengers easier access to flights at Tijuana Rodriguez International Airport, has been promoted by the South County Economic Development Council and others. Earlier this year, the Mexican government officially expressed interest in the concept. In addition, the Airport Authority has formed an outside advisory group to help oversee the study, consisting of representatives from regional transportation agencies such as San Diego Association of Governments and Caltrans, as well as from economic development groups and airlines at San Diego International Airport. Government officials from Mexico and Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico, which operates Rodriguez International Airport, have also been invited to be part of the advisory group.
Is a second runway an option at the existing site?
While this option has been explored in the past, there are no plans to build a second runway at San Diego International Airport. Therefore, we must maximize the efficiency of the existing airfield and facilities.
How can the public get involved in the planning process?
Keeping the public informed about the planning process and seeking input are top priorities for the Airport Authority. Click here to see our current schedule of meetings and click here if you wish to receive periodic news updates from the Airport Authority.
The Airport Authority is also collaborating with other groups and agencies – like SANDAG, the FAA, the County of San Diego, the City of San Diego, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Port of San Diego – as it continues long-range planning for the region’s air transportation needs.
What about traffic on Harbor Drive?
Congestion and delays on Harbor Drive will worsen as congestion and delays in the terminals worsen.
How big can San Diego International Airport get?
The airport currently occupies 661 acres. It is bound on all sides by the San Diego Bay, roadways, residential neighborhoods and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, so room for growth is a scarce commodity for the airport.
Why do we need to do anything at all?
When the Airport Authority was formed in 2003, it was given the legal mandate to create a regional air transportation solution for San Diego. As the region grows, so does demand for air services, and this demand needs to be managed effectively and efficiently. This is the role of the Airport Authority.
Can we convert some smaller, regional airports into commercial airports?
While it is important that all airports in the region become better integrated, the county’s other airports generally have runways that are too short and other restrictions preventing them from becoming full-fledged commercial airports sufficient to measurably relieve San Diego International Airport’s projected growth.
Are we considering high-speed rail?
San Diego Association of Governments and the Airport Authority are developing a plan to better integrate all county airports, including San Diego International Airport, into the region’s overall transportation infrastructure, including freeways, rail and public transit.
Why doesn’t the trolley or the Coaster connect to the airport?
San Diego Association of Governments and the Airport Authority are developing a plan to better integrate all county airports, including SDIA, into the region’s overall transportation infrastructure, including freeways, rail and public transit. One challenge is the airport’s constrained site and lack of right-of-ways.
Do we really need a bigger airport?
San Diego International Airport is unlikely to grow larger than its current size of 661 acres. However, the Airport Authority board is focusing on extending the life and efficiency of the airport now, and it is studying ways to optimize the use of the entire airfield by both reconfiguring current facilities and adding new facilities.
Can we move the terminals to the north side of the airport?
Moving all terminals to the north side is being studied as part of the Destination Lindbergh planning process. Click here to see animation of potential Lindbergh Field build-outs.
Who will pay for the new facilities?
Future improvements at San Diego International Airport will be paid for with airport user fees, bonds, grants and other sources, none involving local tax dollars.
How much will the 10 new jet gates and other facilities cost?
The current projected cost for the near-term improvements in the current Terminal Development Program is approximately $650 million.
When will the 10 new jet gates and other facilities be completed?
It is expected that the near-term improvements in the current Phase 1 of the Terminal Development Program would be completed by 2011.
What is being done to ensure safety as the number of flights increase?
The Airport Authority serves as the region’s Airport Land Use Commission and in that role it works with stakeholders to develop Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans designed to protect people both on the ground, near the airport and in the air. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is tasked with ensuring that our nation’s commercial airports, including San Diego International Airport, operate safely. The FAA institutes measures to ensure safety as flight activity increases at all airports in the system, including San Diego International Airport.
Will the departure curfew be lifted to allow more flights?
Because of San Diego International Airport’s close proximity to residential neighborhoods, the curfew will remain in place indefinitely, so the airport will likely never be a 24-hour facility for departures.
What about North Island? Is that an option?
North Island and numerous other airport solutions were thoroughly analyzed as part of the Airport Site Selection Process. North Island presented several challenges and is currently under the domain of the Department of Defense.
|
