FAA report
I was pleased to see the most recent FAA study (see FAA study eyes more capacity in 2025 below) consider Milwaukee, Gary, and Rockford, as well O'Hare and Midway in its analysis of regional capacity. It is about time!
It was also interesting to note that although there were inferences to a new airport, Peotone was not named or assumed in the report. I believe this is a first in my 20 years of observation!
It is too bad that a study cannot reflect a more current scenario. The type of computer modeling that spits out reports such as this and all the others we've seen can only utilize past data. There is afterall a lead time in reflecting the information that is input into the computer model.
I recall that just after Sept. 11 2001, it was business as usual in the aviation industry with respect to Peotone. Just days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks a deal was cut by former Gov. George Ryan in Springfield to support O'Hare expansion and building Peotone. Though the level of flying activity following that horrific event faultered, industry stocks plummeted and airlines began filing bankruptcy, the level of support for Peotone never wavered.
Today, we suffer from ever-increasing fuel prices. Yet, according to the FAA, the aviation industry assumes a rosy future. Perhaps the next report, in a year or two, will then reflect today's high gas prices and the predictable higher ticket costs.
It was also interesting to note that although there were inferences to a new airport, Peotone was not named or assumed in the report. I believe this is a first in my 20 years of observation!
It is too bad that a study cannot reflect a more current scenario. The type of computer modeling that spits out reports such as this and all the others we've seen can only utilize past data. There is afterall a lead time in reflecting the information that is input into the computer model.
I recall that just after Sept. 11 2001, it was business as usual in the aviation industry with respect to Peotone. Just days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks a deal was cut by former Gov. George Ryan in Springfield to support O'Hare expansion and building Peotone. Though the level of flying activity following that horrific event faultered, industry stocks plummeted and airlines began filing bankruptcy, the level of support for Peotone never wavered.
Today, we suffer from ever-increasing fuel prices. Yet, according to the FAA, the aviation industry assumes a rosy future. Perhaps the next report, in a year or two, will then reflect today's high gas prices and the predictable higher ticket costs.
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