The FAA's Airport Capacity Benchmark Report 2001 measures the maximum number of flights 31 of the nation's busiest airports can handle per hour under both good and adverse weather conditions. The benchmarks were developed between October 2000 and April 2001 by the FAA and MITRE/CAASD to help understand the relationship between airline demand and runway capacity, and to inform long-term aviation policy decisions. While useful as a reference point, the report notes that these benchmarks are starting points for discussion rather than definitive guides for major investment or scheduling decisions.Open full document
Notes
The FAA and MITRE/CAASD developed capacity benchmarks for 31 of the nation’s busiest airports to understand the relationship between airline demand and airport runway capacity. The report defines benchmarks as the maximum number of flights an airport can routinely handle in an hour under optimum and reduced weather conditions. It outlines the methodology used to confirm benchmark rates and compares them to carrier schedule data.