Information compiled from interviews with airport officials; JWA monthly,
Quarterly, and annual reports; the JWA website; and aviation experts.
1. How many planes fly in and out of JWA every day?
Over 950 This number includes all commercial aircraft and general aviation, defined as both private and corporate aircraft. A few years ago, the total number of aircraft was 1,000; however, as more jets, both commercial and corporate, use JWA, the number of small aircraft has steadily decreased. For example, general aviation, despite the increase in corporate jets, decreased 14.1 percent from August 2006 to August 2007.
2. Of those daily aircraft operations, how many are jet flights?
395 (283 commercial jets plus 101 corporate jets and 11 air taxis) land and depart at JWA every day, according to the JWA report for August 2007 and the Quarter Report June 2007.
3. But, I read that JWA was limited to 85 daily commercial jet flights.
You did read that, but just giving that number without explanation is misleading. Here is why. The 2003 Settlement Agreement, as well as the previous 1985 Agreement, limits the noisiest commercial flights per day, not the total number of flights per day. In fact, most of the jet aircraft are in the Exempt category and do not count in the 85 Average Daily Departures. (ADD)
4. How does the MAP affect the number of planes that can arrive and depart?
The only limitation on the total number of flights is the MAP (Million Annual Passengers).
The 2003 Settlement Agreement, like the previous one, divides commercial jets into three classifications: Class A, Class AA, and Class E. Generally speaking, planes with a noise level below 93.5 decibels are Class E, meaning Exempt. Private jets are not assigned any of these categories.
Class E planes do not count toward the 85 average daily limitation. That limitation is an important component of the Settlement Agreement because it limits the number of these noisiest planes, Class A and AA, to an average of 85 per day, but it does not affect the total number of planes operating at JWA. Most planes are not counted toward the 85 because they are in the Exempt category.
5. How many commercial passengers are flying in and out of JWA now?
9,613,480 million passengers used the airport in 2006, a slight decrease of 0.1% for the year, but still an increase of 32 percent over the past ten years. For the month of December 2006, the number of passengers rose 5.6 % compared to December 2005.
According to the 2003 Amendment (the latest Settlement Agreement), JWA is limited to 10.3 million passengers until 2011. Then, JWA is allowed 10.8 Million Annual Passengers (MAP) until the Agreement expires in 2015.
6. With the caps of 10.3 (in 2011) and 10.8 MAP (in 2015), how many commercial planes will be landing and departing at JWA?
First, there were two kinds of commercial planes – air carriers and air taxis (commuter). JWA counts about 600,000 passengers per year for the air taxis or 50,000 per month. It is important to divide these two types of aircraft because air taxis carry far fewer passengers.
Therefore, the total number of passengers on all carriers for December 2006 was 811,394 passengers less the 50,000 that were on jet air taxis. (811,304 – 50,000 = 761,394 passengers on the jet air carriers). There were 7,622 air carriers with 761,394 passengers or 100 passengers per plane. In 2011, when JWA is allowed by the Agreement to have 10.8 MAP, the number of jet planes based on the above formula will rise to approximately 295 commercial jet carriers every day, approximately 11 jet air taxis every day, and at least 100 corporate jets every day. The total number of jet planes, departing and arriving every day, will be approximately 405-410.
While we can hope that each plane carries more passengers, resulting in fewer takeoffs and landings, there is nothing to ensure that will happen. At present, JWA has the capacity for about 50 arrivals or departures per hour. Fortunately, with one runway and the significant number of propeller planes still using JWA that cannot happen yet.
7. If the general aviation passengers, including corporate jets, are not counted toward the MAP, then what are the limitations on these planes?
Not much. Private and corporate planes, including jets, are not limited by the MAP, not limited by the 85 noisiest average daily planes, and not limited by the curfew. In fact, they can take off or land anytime, day or night, as many times as they want, as long as they do not violate the noise parameters. If a private jet violates the noise parameters three times, the plane is banned from the airport for three years.
8. Briefly, what are the terms of the 2003 Settlement Agreement?
10.3 Million Annual Passengers (MAP) from 01 January 2003 until 2011 (an increase of 23% over the previous limit of 8.4 MAP); additional provisions are:
· 10.8 MAP from 2011 to 2015 (an increase of 28% over the previous limit)
· 85 average daily departures of the noisiest flights (Class A and Class AA, but not Class E)
· 20 gates (an increase of 43% or 6 gates)
· Noise monitoring system
· Curfew from 10 p.m. (departures) and 11 p.m. (landings) to 7 a.m. (Curfew is in effect until 2020.)
· Four cargo flights per day
· Expiration of 2003 Settlement Agreement is 2015 for all passenger limits and 2020 for curfew.
10.8 Let’s Lock the Gate
