The Tucson Airport Authority recently kicked off an update to Tucson International Airport’s (TIA) Master Plan. The Master Plan looks out 20 years into the future and provides a strategic roadmap for the physical development of the airport. The plan is typically updated every five to seven years.
The current TIA Master Plan was completed in 2004 and focused on the unparalleled growth that both the region and the aviation industry were experiencing at that time, officials said. This focus resulted in the identification of future airport facilities that could accommodate a doubling of passenger and general aviation activity over 20 years, as well as projects needed to expand economic development opportunities and maintain existing facilities. With the recent economic downturn, many of those future facilities identified will not be required for several years.
There are several key steps in the master planning process, including identifying goals for airport growth; developing the aviation demand forecast; analyzing existing conditions; identifying alternative scenarios for development; recommending a framework for future growth; and developing a financial plan that can support the various growth measures. The focus of this plan update will also be to maximize land development resources and leverage TIA’s position as the economic development hub of the region, not only in the movement of goods and people but as the backbone for the region’s target industries. This update will also look to finalize plans for the redevelopment of TIA’s parallel runway and enhance airfield safety.
The FAA-backed master planning process kicked off in April and is scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2013.
For more information: TIAMasterplan.com
