Study Finds "No Feasible Location" For Reliever Facility

A study sparked by a 2008 FAA report that indicates the Atlanta area is badly in need of a new reliever airport has found that there is basically no place to put such a facility. According to an article in Global Atlanta, the study, conducted by the Atlanta airport authority and funded largely by the FAA, found no suitable location for a second large commercial airport within a 100 mile radius of downtown Atlanta.

The study focused on 29 sites, and while eight were identified as being compatible with such an airport, each would be confronted by insurmountable environmental or airspace "challenges," according to the story. USA Today reports that the study found that not only would NIMBY be a significant factor anyplace a new airport could be located, but also that current stakeholders and airlines would resist the new facility for fear of diluting existing business.

However, some have said  a new airport study conducted by an existing airport authority might present a conflict of interest, and that it is unlikely that there is truly no place to put a new commercial airport within 100 miles of Atlanta.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.atlantaga.gov/Government/Aviation.aspx