Recognizing the problems posed by congestion and delay within the National Airspace System, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), airport operators, and aviation industry groups have initiated joint Airport Capacity Design Teams at various major airports throughout the U.S. Each Capacity Team identifies and evaluates alternative means to enhance existing airport and airspace capacity to handle future demand, decrease delays, and improve airport efficiency. The recommendations developed by the Capacity Teams deal with airfield, facilities, and equipment, and operational improvements. Alternatives are examined with the assistance of computer simulations provided by the FAA's Technical Center in Atlantic City, NJ. Since the start of the program, over 50 Airport Capacity Design Teams have either completed their studies or have work in progress.

A typical Capacity Team makes 20 or more recommendations for capacity improvements at a specific airport. To date, the Airport Capacity Enhancement Design Teams have made over 500 capacity producing recommendations. Improvements recommended by the Capacity Teams become part of the master planning process at the airports studied have already begun or completed construction of recommended improvements.

The need for this program continues. In 1995, 25 airports each exceeded 20,000 hours of airline flight delays. If no improvements in capacity are made, the number of airports that could exceed 20,000 hours of annual airline flight delays is projected to increase 16% (to 29 airports) by 2004. The challenge for the air transportation industry in the nineties is to enhance existing airport and airspace capacity and to develop new facilities to handle future demand. As environmental, financial, and other constraints continue to restrict the development of new airport facilities in the U.S., an increased emphasis has been placed on the redevelopment and expansion of existing airport facilities.