Benefits and drawbacks of Philadelphia International Airport expansion

Philadelphia Airport Expansion Plan

Over the last several years, a variety of U.S. airports have been experiencing tremendous amounts of congestion. Part of the reason for this, is because many locations are built in areas that have seen rapid increases in the number of homes and businesses around facility. While at the same time, the total amounts of passenger and cargo traffic have risen exponentially. Over the course of time, this has caused the amount of safety incidents to increase dramatically. Evidence of this can be seen with a study that was conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). They found that between 1995 and 2006, the total number of runway mishaps rose by 37%. This is because many airports are often congested and unable to handle the tremendous amounts of traffic. Once this happens, it means that the chances of particular facility seeing some kind of incident will increase significantly. (Tategate 2007)

As a result, the FAA has been aggressively focusing on reducing the total amounts of congestion. Where, they have been spending $1 billion per year modernizing the nation's air traffic control system. While other areas, were neglected due to funding issues. A few of the most notable include: the runways, terminals, ground / baggage transportations and parking. As the agency claims that they need an additional $510 million to finish upgrading the 38 major airports around the country. This is significant, because it is showing how a number of facilities around the United States are facing infrastructure related issues. ("FAA Approves Philadelphia Airport Expansion Plan," 2011)

In the case of Philadelphia International, they have been dealing with similar issues. As the facility, is known for having the second worst record for delays in the country. While the total amounts of traffic are accounting for: 472,688 takeoffs or 30 million passengers. In 2030, these numbers are expected to rise with the airport estimated to welcome 60 million visitors. During the process is when many of the existing facilities will face increased amounts of strain. A few of the most notable include: lengthening two runways, building a fifth runway along the Delaware River, a new commuter terminal, more gates, extra parking and building a new ground transportation system. To do this, the airport was given preliminary approval for the $5.2 billion plan by the FAA. However, many different communities around the facility have been opposed to these different plans. The reason why, is because residents are fearful about how these changes could impact the community or the environment. To determine both sides of this issue requires: examining the underlying reasons for this project, possible effects on the ecosystem and how this is impacting the communities around Philadelphia International. Once this occurs, is when we will see the benefits and drawbacks of the airport expansion plan. ("FAA Approves Philadelphia Airport Expansion Plan," 2011)

The Reasons for the Project

The site for Philadelphia International was first developed in 1925. At the time, this was supposed to be an ideal location for training aviators and National Guard pilots. However, the pressures to attract passenger traffic meant that the facility would become available to commercial airlines by 1926 (with Eastern using the airport as hub). This helped to develop the facility as many other airlines began to offer service to the region. However, a major issue for site was that South Philadelphia began to rapidly expand toward the perimeter. Over the course of time the lack of land space would limit the size of the airport to select amounts of acreage that city owns. ("History of Philadelphia International," 2011)

Throughout the decades, there were major improvement that to the sit. A few of the most notable include: the expansion of the main terminal several times, the addition of runways / cargo terminals and the introduction of a rail line that directly linked Philadelphia International with the rest of the city. The combination of these different elements is important, because they provided a basic foundation for the airport to meet the needs of businesses and the general public throughout the region. Once this occurred, it meant that the airport would become a hub that helped to provide a major economic boost to Philadelphia. ("History of Philadelphia International," 2011)

However, despite the tremendous amounts of improvements over the years, the space to expand became limited. The reason why, is because the city has built up around the facility and they had no more room to grow eastward (thanks to the Delaware River). These different factors meant that the facility would see limited improvements in an effort to keep up with the various changes. Over the course of time, this helped Philadelphia to rapidly expand. Yet, it failed to address the issue of traffic congestion. This is because, any kind of improvements were focused on select aspects of the airport. As it failed, to deal with issues such as space; which were necessary for expanding the runways and improving the terminals. To keep up with these changes, the city has proposed dramatically expanding the perimeter of the facility. This means that city will have to tear down approximately 70 different homes to achieve the proposed changes to the facility. As a result, heated emotions between proponents and activists (who are against the plan) are heating up. This is because there are divisions about these issues should be rectified. ("History of Philadelphia International," 2011)

The Communities around Philadelphia International

There are several different communities that will be impacted by the expansion of Philadelphia International these include: South Philadelphia and Tinicum Township. In both cases, the City of Philadelphia will have to destroy about 72 homes and they will have to relocate 80 different businesses. This is problematic, because many residents will claim that these actions are going directly against their basic rights to remain in their homes. As, many believe that this kind of expansion could be violation of their constitutional rights. This has pushed both communities to organize and speak out against the proposal. The reason why, is because they feet that it is destroying their way of life. (Harvey, 2011)

However, under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Polices Act of 1970 the city has the power to engage in these actions. This is because the law allows the government, to exercise the power of imminent domain over property owners who refuse to sell their homes or businesses. As public officials, can go to court and be able to legally obtain the rights to these properties. In return, the owner will receive fair market value and they will have to move to another location. The problem is that many of these home owners do not want to go to other areas. Instead, they want to remain in their homes while the airport is relocated elsewhere. (Harvey, 2011)

Evidence of this can be seen with comments from June Ryan (a resident of South Philadelphia) who said, "It is all so political. I have lived here all my life and they are probably going to take my home. They already took many others. They are supposed to be flying over the river, but they don't. After it gets darker out they constantly fly over our homes and it is very loud. I can't stand it. The FAA has come out and replaced all of our windows to keep it quiet. The problem is that no one wants to keep their windows shut all year round." This is significant, because it shows how residents believe that the expansion of the airport is politically motivated. As, they think that the perimeter can be expanded to other areas. Yet, officials chose not to do so. This is because they believe the current proposal is designed to provide some kind of support to: key figures inside the City of Philadelphia. (Harvey, 2011)

As a result, this is leading to increased amounts of tension between the city and residents in these areas. Where, the government thinks that the expansion of Philadelphia International will provide an added benefit to the region. A good example of this can be seen with comments from John Haak (a senior planner with the City of Philadelphia) who said, "The airport is the center of greater Philadelphia. It is a global asset for the region and it needs to be operated that way. We are currently working with the city and the airport to update the zoning. With a larger zoning area for the airport, we wouldn't have to worry about the area being used for this expansion. It would all be for airport use. Until the zoning issues are resolved and further work can be done on the Enhancement Program, the Federal Aviation Administration has gone to great lengths to keep many of the residents happy. This is a part of an attempt to prevent them from fighting the expansion any further." (Harvey, 2011)

This is important, because it shows how the city is trying to accommodate these residents. The problem is that many of the areas around the airport were overbuilt. Once some kind of expansion is necessary, is when these individuals will have problems with these issues. The reason why, is they think that the facility should expand in another direction. However, the in the case of Philadelphia International there is only so many directions they can go. At which point, the odds increase that certain sections of particular neighborhoods will lose businesses and homes. Over the course of time, this causes the underlying amounts of animosity to increase between residents of the community and city officials. As the two, are unable to reach some kind of solution to the various problems facing the city and local communities. This is when there more than likely will be some kind of showdown, with the courts often becoming the final arbitrator of the project. (Harvey, 2011)

The Financial Impact of the Plan

The financial implications will have both short- and long-term consequences. This is because, there will be the loss of jobs and a decline in property values in those communities that are seeing the forfeiture of homes / businesses. Evidence of this can be seen with a study that was conducted by the FAA. They determined that South Philadelphia and Tinicum Township would see real estate values decline by $216,000.00. While the school districts in these areas, will receive $1.8 million less in real estate taxes and the county will have a reduction in their total revenues of $283,000.00. This is significant, because it is showing that there will be both short and medium term economic consequences from the expansion of Philadelphia International. (Klein, 2011)

However, when you weigh the benefits of the project itself, it is clear that they outweigh any of these negative consequences. This is because, the airport is considered to be a major transportation hub for: Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware. A good example of this can be seen by looking no further than the fact that the facility currently employs 144,000 people. Over the next two decades, it is expected to see consistent increases in passenger traffic of 3.8% and 4.6% in cargo volume per year. The combination of these factors means that if the airport wants to remain a major transportation center; they will have to expand beyond their current perimeter. The only way that this can be accomplished is by filling in parts of the Delaware River and taking over portions of certain neighborhoods. Once this occurs, is when the facility will provide the entire region with significant long-term benefits. As, the expansion will create: a total of 12,800 construction jobs and 2,800 permanent positions. This is higher than the total 3,500 jobs that will be lost in the communities around the airport because the expansion. (Klein, 2011)

These figures are important, because they are showing how there are tradeoffs that are taking place. As the City of Philadelphia, wants to ensure that the airport will address the needs of the region. While at the same time they are reducing congestion and improving the kinds of services that are available. This will provide the city with higher tax revenues and it will ensure the continued long-term economic development of the area. However, there will be an impact on the environment and the communities around where the construction is occurring. As a result, the city and the FAA have weighed the benefits as well as drawbacks to determine the best way to deal with these issues.

Clearly, the current expansion of Philadelphia International has a number of different benefits and drawbacks. As far as advantages are concerned, the current proposals will lead to: an increase of 15,600 jobs over 12 years and it will help to ensure that the facility is able to keep up with demand. This will have a positive impact on the region, by providing it with a viable transportation center. However, during the process is when a number of negative consequences will occur to include: a reduction in property values, the forfeiture of tax revenues to select communities, the loss of 3,500 jobs and there will be damage to the environment. As a result, the FAA and the city believe that the expansion of the airport will provide the greatest benefits over the long-term for everyone.