Bigger planes, fewer takeoffs mean Philly airport can wait on new runway

A change in the airline industry towards bigger planes means an extra runway at Philadelphia International Airport is no longer a top priority. 

Airport CEO Chellie Cameron said the new runway was part of a plan from six years ago and isn’t needed as much because airlines are using bigger aircraft.

“our operations, our take-offs and have gone down,  by more than 24, 25, 26 percent, so the need for a new runway isn’t as critical as it was 10 years ago, six years ago, when we rolled out that plan.  The plan is still good it’s just the new runway isn’t the number one thing on it.”

Cameron said improving the terminals has moved to the top of the wish list.

“We’re pivoting, we trying to figure out what comes next that is going to make the biggest difference and that is the most cost effective way to add infrastructure that will be the biggest bang for the buck.”

A new report showed Philadelphia International has a $15.4 billion annual economic impact on the region.