Airport Improvement Program March 11, 1988

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4.4 THE EFFECT ON NEIGHBORING AIRPORTS The acquisition and improvement of Gateway North Industrial Airport would result in a net positive effect on the regional system as a whole. Long term assurance of the airport's continued operations would be gained through public ownership. The regional system would retain existing capacity and enhance both landside and airside capacity with improvements at existing facilities. The region also would benefit by serving aviation demand in the west/northwest metro area and possibly "buying time" until the questions are resolved relating to the role(s) of new airports in the Metroplitan Area. Figure 4-7 illustrates the Metropolitan Airports System Plan for 2003. (Gateway North is identified as No. 6). It is likely that some aircraft cur- rently based at Crystal (5) or Anoka County (7) would relocate to Gateway after facilities are improved. At least four air- craft owned by Ramsey area residents or businessmen are likely to relocate from these facilities. Development of a new 'Search Area A' airport is being evaluated by Metropolitan Council. As shown on Figure 4-7 the area of interest is west-northwest Hennepin County. The role of this facility as a minor or inter- mediate airport would be to service aviation demand generated primarily from within the Metropolitan Urban Service Area. It also would serve to relieve future demand on International, Crystal and Flying Cloud Airports. Due to the restriction imposed by the Mississippi River with bridge crossings only at Anoka or Elk River, it is unlikely that a new Search Area A airport would significantly benefit aviation demand in the Anoka -Ramsey -Elk River corridor. A new bridge crossing between Ramsey and Dayton would, however, enhance the attractiveness of a new western Hennepin facility. If the Metropolitan Council were to determine to develop a new facility, a new airport would be unlikely to be sited and opera- tional for at least seven years. Figure 4-8 illustrates other publicly owned airports on the periphery of the metropolitan area. The nearest alternate facilities are Buffalo and Cambridge. Both are farther than the recognized half hour travel time to the service area. 4.5 ALTERNATIVE MODES OF TRANSPORTATION Two alternative modes of transportation, the private automobile and the airlines, are the primary competitors with general aviation. The automobile is an attractive alternative for relatively short trip distances of less than 300 miles particularly when more than one passenger is being transported. Despite the automobile's rising ownership and operating costs (which are also true for aviation), the flexibility and convenience afforded by this mode of transportation assures that it will remain an important competitor to general aviation. 4-11