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3. SYSTEM CONSEOLIF_.NCFS <br />Several scenarios could occur if the deficiencies identified for the existing reliever <br />system aze not addressed. If operating delays at the reliever airports escalate, general <br />aviation aircraft that aze candidates to use the reliever system could opt to use Minneapolis- <br />St. Paul International instead. The consequence of increased general aviation demand at <br />Minneapolis-St. Paul International would be a significant increase in operational delay at <br />this commeraal service. facility. General aviation aircraft, when mixed with a commercial <br />operating fleet, can have a serious effect on reducing an airport's ability to process demand. <br />There aze increased in-trail separation regtu;ements when large and small aircraft mix in <br />the same operational fleet, which means that an airport can process less demand within a <br />specified operating period. Increased general aviation activity with associated increased <br />operating delays at Minneapolis-St. Paul International would be counterproductive to owner <br />and community objectives for this facility. <br />The capacity analysis conducted for this study identified system operating deficiencies <br />that could occur unless additional capaaty, in the form of new airports or additional <br />runways at existing airports, is provided. The current level of delay is relatively minimal <br />because six of the seven relievers are operating below 80 percent of capacity. The cost <br />associated with the current level of delay (624,000 minutes systemwide) is not significant. <br />By the 2008 timeframe; annual operational delay at the relievers will reach an estimated 6.2 <br />million minutes without enhancement. The cost of this level of delay is estimated at $3.6 <br />million annually to reliever system users alone; this rnst is independent of additional delay <br />costs that will be experienced by commercial users at Minneapolis-St. Paut International. <br />Delay costs associated only with the reliever system rnuld increase if measures are taken to <br />reduce general aviation demand at Minneapolis-St. Paul International without providing a <br />corresponding increase in the operating capacity for the reliever system. The ability to <br />actually divert general aviation demand from Minneapolis-St. Paul International to the <br />reliever system is adversely affected without adequate reliever system capacity. <br />u <br />V-4 <br />