The Airports America Desperately Needs But Can’t Get Built

America’s airport problem is no longer just about poorly-managed terminals or excessively long security lines. Rather, it is about structural capacity. The United States runs the world’s busiest and most complex airspace system, featuring more than 45,000 flights per day, all while passenger and operational demand are expected to continue rising for decades to come. At the same time, many major airports are already constrained by runway limits, crowded terminals, aging support infrastructure, and sites hemmed in by surrounding urban development.