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Dear Neighbor,
A process is underway at the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) to update the long-range vision for our Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) International Airport. The airport’s Long-Term Comprehensive Plan (LTCP) has a twenty-year outlook. The purpose of developing the plan is to anticipate future needs of the airport. The process includes analyzing potential impacts to the community, like airplane noise. I want to help you follow this process so that your voice can be heard.
How many people? How many planes?
One of the first steps in the LTCP process is to estimate the amount of activity expected at MSP over the next twenty years. The aviation activity forecasts are now complete and show growth in the number of people and planes. The number of people starting their trip or boarding a connecting flight at MSP (enplanements) is estimated to be 27.3 million per year in 2040. For context, there were 18.5 million enplanements in 2018. The number of planes arriving or departing MSP (operations) is forecast to be 526,000 in 2040 compared to 407,000 in 2018. For historical perspective, operations peaked at 541,000 in 2004.
In 2018, MSP served 38 million passengers which was an airport record. A “passenger” is different from an “enplanement” because it also counts the people who are ending their trip at MSP. A significant reason why MSP served the highest number of passengers ever while having a relatively low number of operations is that airplanes in use at MSP have been getting bigger- moving more people with fewer flights. It looks like the trend of replacing some planes with larger models is going to continue. It’s normal for the fleet mix at the airport to be in state of evolution and sometimes changes affects the experience of residents. Often, the changes are subtle.
Process and timeline
MAC has formed a stakeholder advisory panel for purposes of “receiving information and communicating the concerns or aspirations of those they represent.” The group has 29 members representing varied interests such as; tourism associations, regional businesses and airport tenants. The six cities adjacent to the airport each have a representative. I represent the City of Minneapolis, with city staff airport expert Loren Olsen as my “alternate” on this panel.
The Stakeholder Advisory panel has met twice. The first meeting was an overview of the process and the second included a review of aviation activity. On January 30, the panel will meet again to hear the results of a capacity study. The capacity study models the expected number of people, planes, cargo and current airport facilities, and determines how the facilities would hold-up. MAC uses this to determine the future needs of our airport.
Noise
Many residents will be interested in the part of the LTCP process where there’s an analysis of noise. I expect to see that information in the summer. MAC will try to predict what the future fleet-mix will look like and how the runways will be used to determine the future impacts on noise. A noise contour map will be produced showing estimated levels of noise. The City will help disseminate that information when it’s available.
The entire LTCP process is expected to be done by the end of this year. If you would like more information about the process or milestones you can visit the MSP LTCP website. You’ll find materials including what’s been shared with the advisory panel thus far.
Being heard
It’s very important to me that you are heard throughout this process. I suggest you sign-up to receive communications from MAC on the MSP LTCP website. You can also expect periodic updates from me.
I also want to be direct in communicating this point- there are challenges when it comes to influencing airport noise and operations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has exclusive authority over airplanes in the sky and federal law constrains the tools available to communities, and even airports, for noise reduction. The federal legal framework in place since 1990 does not allow “restrictions” on the airspace; This has been interpreted broadly to prohibit actions like curfews or limiting the number of operations. I directly participate, and ask others to participate, in national lobbying efforts for more tools that would allow communities to better address the negative impacts of airport operations.
Despite the challenges, there are things being done. Communities around MSP collaborate with the local FAA which has voluntarily implemented numerous noise-abatement procedures. Some of them are described on this webpage. The City actively looks to other airports around the nation for procedures that and could potentially benefit our residents. When ideas come up, they are evaluated and implemented if possible.
I believe it’s important for the Metropolitan Airports Commission and other stakeholders to hear your perspective as a neighbor to the airport - whether it be concern or praise. So, I encourage you to engage throughout this process.
Sincerely,
Linea Palmisano, 13th Ward Minneapolis City Council Member
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Loren Olsen, City of Minneapolis Government Relations Representative
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