The revised proposal would still be completed June 2019, but would add two additional parking spots for planes, one of which would have a jet bridge while the other would require using stairs or an elevator (just like the old terminal C days). The passenger waiting room for the new gates would also grow from 8,300 SQFT to 12,500 SQFT. The new plan would still cost around $50 million (and 500 parking spots). Eventually there will be a 10 gate permanent expansion in the same area.
Can SJC justify an extra 6 gates? The answer is absolutely. Not only is it the fastest growing international airport in the country right now based on passenger growth, but new flights are being added left and right. For example...
A new airline called California Pacific is launching a new twice-daily San Jose to Carlsbad route (airport north of San Diego). This will use a 50-seat Embraer ERJ145. This is the first time San Jose would have a direct route to this airport from the commercial terminal.
Volaris is adding their fourth nonstop international destination--to the beautiful city of Leon. The flight starts on November 17th and will use a 174-seat Airbus A320 (all economy). For those counting this is our 12th international route:
- Asia
- Tokyo
- Beijing
- Shanghai
- Europe
- London
- Frankfurt
- North America
- Vancouver
- Guadalajara (served by three different airlines)
- Cabo San Lucas
- Mexico City
- Morelia
- Zacatecas
- Leon
Delta is also adding Detroit (a Delta hub) as a nonstop destination from SJC starting on November 15th. The flight will use a Boeing 737 with 160 seats (16 in first class).
At this rate, we will need a lot more than six new gates in the near future.
Sources: SVBJ, SVBJ (2), SVBJ (3), SVBJ (4),
Assuming we want our descendants to have a livable environment, we will have to shut down airlines to prevent runaway greenhouse global warming climate change. Then, SJC would be useful as a tent city, and the derelict fuselages could be cut open for use as planters.
ReplyDeleteAir travel makes up an absolutely tiny percentage of air pollution in the Bay Area and is the only viable way to enable timely mass travel over distances >750 miles or so.
DeleteI agree it is much smaller than car emissions, but it will still need to go to zero ASAP. “Viable” and “timely” are relative; if no one is flying or driving, then “timely” is just what it is.
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