Airlines
Airport Capacity Estimate Changes as Battle Over PFC Rages
The FAA has scaled back its projection of the number of U.S. airports that will be 'capacity constrained' by 2020.
The NextGen modernization will improve aircraft flows on the runway but may require other capacity enhancements. (Photo: Bill Carey)
The NextGen modernization will improve aircraft flows on the runway but may require other capacity enhancements. (Photo: Bill Carey)

The number of “capacity constrained” airports the Federal Aviation Administration expects the United States will have by 2020 has fallen dramatically from the agency’s earlier estimates, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports. But the prospect of fewer airports with long flight delays has done nothing to blunt the dispute between airlines and airports over paying for mainly “landside” improvements to terminals and other infrastructure.