Quote:
Originally Posted by downtownslcresident
A bit of disappointing news too, though. Most of the recent air traffic studies and projections have suggested that SLC will reach its maximum takeoff and landing capacity much sooner than was previously expected, making the plans for an eventual Concourse D and 3rd parallel west runway irrelevant. Due to the shape of the valley, SLC is limited with available flight paths for approaching and climbing out of the airport, and the 3rd west runway would require such specific flight paths and conditions for use (weight restrictions, weather conditions, direction of departure) that it’s no longer cost effective to build. Realigning 17/35 would have similar challenges but is now the preferred alternative for future capacity increases. But unfortunately a hypothetical Concourse D would only be necessary if both a west parallel runway and a realignment of 17/35 were completed.
That said, I predict we will see PVU and OGD become much larger players as secondary airports by the 2050s as SLC starts approaching it’s capacity.
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To be completely honest, this isn't the worst news possible. This situation should only incentivise expansion of Airport services in Ogden and Provo. Provo could be international by the end of the decade, and Ogden by the end of next decade, if they begin to pursue expansion (as has been rumored in the past). Having 2 new international airports on the Wasatch Front can ease the burden on SLC by absorbing domestic flights as well as shorter international flights, so that SLC can have the breathing room to expand their international offerings without burdening their airspace. As a bonus, this could also provide an incentive to better connect the 3 cities with more reliable, and faster, transit. The wasatch front will continue to grow as both a community of residents and as an international destination, and having 3 international airports in one urban area can connect the region in a way that we haven't seen yet. By 2050, I'd love to see both Provo and Ogden with mass local transit, connected to a higher speed regional system, and this could be facilitated by the future expansion of these cities airports and the ensuing need to move large amounts of people around. Idk, just some random thoughts