ICAO Seminar on Liberalization Montreal 22-23 March 2003 Infrastructure Development Physical & Environmental Constraints Dr Philippe Rochat

A few initial remarks Liberalisation has put a growing pressure on infrastructure Need for more runways and for a less fragmented airspace Infrastructure tends to lag a few years behind capacity Liberalisation is not the only cause of congestion & delays. But it has accelerated and crystallised the constraints

From physical to environmental constraints Physical constraints have been overtaken by environmental ones where capacity is most needed ! Not the result of increased noise, but mainly the expression of a reduced tolerance in airport vicinity When airport development has to be balanced with environmental constraints, capacity gains can be writen off !

How to reduce physical/environmental constraints ? The role of States No fatality ! Ways and means do exist ! Most governements are actively looking for extra capacity to safisfy mobility requirements The industry expects special efforts from States towards CNS/ATM progressive implementation Balanced Approach to tackle airport environmental constraints

How to reduce physical/environmental constraints ? Land-use planning Lack of proper land-use planning & management in most cases… Leads to the construction of new airports before existing facilities are fully used Should noise nuisance be concentrated or distributed ?

How to reduce physical/environmental constraints How to reduce physical/environmental constraints ? Dialogue with airport neighbors The relationship has focussed so far on environmental issues Sustainable Development calls for a proper balance between economic, social and environmental aspects Should lead to broaden the local dialogue sor that neighbors don not only share the negative, but also the positive contributions of aviation !

How to reduce physical/environmental constraints ? Intermodal Solutions Ground access to airports through dedicated train links improves service, capacity and air quality High Speed Train links have started to complement air transport and to absorb part of the growth: up to 10-15% Intermodality requires a cultural revolution in both sectors…

Conclusion The question of physical & environmental constraints is a major issue beyond the current crisis It requires to be addressede in a fully coordinated way by infrastructure providers, users, manufacturers and regulators Working together !

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