In 2017, the City of San Diego Airports Division (City) embarked on a master planning process to define the vision and provide the necessary framework to guide future airport development at the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive and Brown Field Municipal airports for the next 20 years. The process included technical studies and was informed by community and stakeholder feedback gathered through a series of public workshops and Advisory Committee meetings. The resulting proposed Airport Master Plan (Plan) for each airport includes a report of existing conditions, a forecast of aviation activity, facility requirements needed to accommodate the forecasted aviation activity, development and evaluation of alternatives to meet those needs, an environmental overview and a phased funding plan for that development. The Plans also include an Airport Layout Plan (ALP).
What is an Airport Master Plan?
An Airport Master Plan is a study to determine the long-term development plans for an airport including the extent, type and schedule of development needed. The master planning process considers the needs and demands of airport tenants, users and the general public. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) offers a number of objectives as a guide in the preparation of a master plan:
- Understand the issues, opportunities and constraints of the airport
- Consider the impact of recent national and local aviation trends
- Identify the capacity of airport infrastructure
- Determine the need for new improvements
- Estimate costs and identify potential funding sources
- Develop a schedule for implementation of proposed projects
- Comply with federal, state and local regulations
The Airport Master Plans for the Brown Field Municipal and Montgomery-Gibbs Executive airports will include reports of existing and future conditions at each airport, Airport Layout Plans and schedules of priorities and funding sources for proposed improvements.
Why are Airport Master Plans Needed?
New Airport Master Plans are needed to:
- Consider new and changing long-term uses for the airport
- Improve the regional air transportation system and local economy
- Address improvements necessary to comply with federal aviation regulations
- Accommodate existing and projected demands on the airport