Article: Study into 2nd Sydney airport begins

[ozbob]

From News.com.au click here!

Study into 2nd Sydney airport begins

Study into 2nd Sydney airport begins
AAP
July 21, 2012 9:32AM

THE federal government says Sydney desperately needs a second airport and has commissioned a scoping study into building one in the southwest Sydney suburb of Wilton.

Infrastructure and Transport minister Anthony Albanese said the main purpose of the study is to identify as early as possible the challenges and the opportunities of airport development.

"With passenger numbers expected to double by 2035, we know that Sydney's current aviation infrastructure will not cope with demand," Mr Albanese said in a statement on Saturday.

"If a second airport is not built, our national economy will suffer as congestion grows and flights and economic investment are turned away."

The study, which is expected to take six months, will also explore the use of RAAF Base Richmond for limited civil operations, Mr Albanese said.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has repeatedly rejected proposals for a second Sydney airport in Wilton.

He wants Canberra Airport expanded, with a high-speed rail link between Sydney and the nation's capital.

[somebody]

FWIW, I think the option of Richmond is unlikely to get many flights.  My understanding is that westbound take offs are too dangerous in a 737/A320 - I presume OK in a Carribou.  At one time, it had been proposed to build two new north/south runways tracking south from the current airport's land across the road and railway line but I imagine development pretty much rules that option out now.

[somebody]

Airports are a federally managed area of government.

I agree that governments should get out of running airlines, but I disagree about airports.