There seems to be obfuscation and confusion about what constitutes an increase in airport capacity. It seems that airport capacity can be increased in multiple ways, but, only three ways when one does not change the length of the runway. The City wants the airport to be "profitable". This can be accomplished by increasing the number of aircraft operations. e.g. more fuel sales.
1. Increase the number of "operations" of existing types of airplanes (less than 30,000 lbs) by attracting more airplanes through a variety of incentives. e.g. enhanced services, lower cost services, etc.
2. Increase the number of "operations" by introducing a class of different (larger) airplanes (up to 70,000+ lbs) that will add to the existing "operations". This is accomplished by upgrading the runway to accommodate heavier airplanes.
3. Increase the number of "operations" by a combination of 1&2 above.
Scenario 2 increases airport capacity in two ways. One, the number of "operations" increase due to the new weight class of airplane using the airport that were not able to use it before because of runway weight restrictions. Two, the larger aircraft carry more people or cargo than the existing class of airplane.
Thus, the City Council's desire and action to increase the aircraft weight capability at Georgetown airport is indeed an increase in airport capacity.
If I were the airport manager, I would be working on scenario 3 with all my energy, because, he will be rewarded for making the airport "profitable" and the way to do that is increase the number of "operations" that are allowable within the airport reference code C-II. No runway extension would be necessary and no new airplane hangars or other capital intensive improvements would be required to increase the airport utilization.
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