By Robert L. Candiotti

A Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) team has been working on airplane designs for improved commercial flights traveling further into the 21st Century.

In a news release by the MIT News Office, the university has been involved in working on a research contract from NASA to develop "greener" aircraft.

Research teams of MIT and other major U.S. commercial aviation manufacturing companies have been focused on futuristic airplanes that will consume much less fuel and will emit significantly reduced nitrous oxide.

The program is called "N+3" to refer to three generations forward for commercial air transportation.

In MIT's informational release, it is stated the designs now being worked on are targeted for "air travel in 2035 - when air traffic is expected to double." To me, doubled air traffic in 2035 is relevant to Las Vegas' proposed Ivanpah Valley Airport.

Ivanpah Airport - basically defined as a "supplemental airport" to Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport - was originally proposed to open for business around 2018. Clark County Aviation Department is now saying that time is too soon for the new airport's completion, due to a weakened economy and air traffic enhancements currently going on at McCarran.

Clark County Aviation Department is now talking about completion of Ivanpah Airport some time in the 2020 decade.

In fact, though, right now commercial aviation is growing and evolving all over the world. This is happening in the Middle East, China, Asia and Europe. 

Expansion of international long-haul aviation is occurring at this very moment.

And, as mentioned before in this Ivanpah Airport News blog, and in the related website IvanpahValley.com, Airbus A380 routes are growing and growing. And, for the A380, this is just the beginning.

Aviation route systems are changing. Airline companies' priorities are changing. And MIT is saying air traffic will increase by 100% by the 2030s. Logically, aviation growth is going to happen continuously between now and then.

Las Vegas is a unique place. It is an exciting place. It is a place that is fascinated by people on every continent.

Of course, it is currently a heavily visited place. Still, the further delayed the construction of Ivanpah Valley Airport takes place, which is where the A380 planes will need to land, the increasingly weakened Las Vegas will probably be in the loop of global fascination.

McCarran International Airport is wonderful. But there is no way it can take the place of where Ivanpah Airport will be needed - around 30 miles south of Las Vegas - to fulfill tomorrow's commercial aviation traffic.

According to MIT, the doubling of air traffic in 2035 is inevitable. But, by the early 2020s, in my opinion, Ivanpah Valley Airport needs to be up and operating so Las Vegas can be strongly situated in tomorrow's global international aviation route structures.     

    

By Robert L. Candiotti

An additional terminal, Terminal 3, is now being constructed at Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport. The operational launch date for Terminal 3 is in 2012.

Once McCarran's Terminal 3 opens, it is reported there will be 14 additional gates at the airport, including six gates specifically for international travelers.

It appears that Terminal 3 will be able to accommodate in 2012 the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner airplanes that are - in spite of being delayed because of various mechanical issues - expected to begin flying before too long.

Various B787 models will be carrying between 200 and 300 passengers. Boeing describes the new 787 Dreamliner to be advanced technologically and extremely fuel efficient.

Yet, the size of the planes is similar to other aviation models that have been flying for many years. B787 aircraft should be easily assimilated at McCarran.

However, the Airbus A380 is significantly different. It can carry more than 500 passengers. Its wingspan is 50 feet wider than any other commercial airplane model. It is a double-decker jet that needs different gate facilities. And the A380 has landing and takeoff requirements that are different than other airplanes.

McCarran is rated as a Code E airport. This is, of course, a very competent rating. However, the Airbus A380 needs what is designated as a Code F airport. Much information available lists reasons - including being tightly encircled by a surrounding urban environment - McCarran International will be unable to obtain Code F approval.

Because expansion of Airbus A380 routes will be continuously expanding around the globe, Code F is a requirement for tomorrow's world-class airports.

From its inception, Ivanpah Airport - proposed for an expansive and level site 30 miles south of Las Vegas - will be designed with all the needed Code F infrastructures.

The need for the functional, attractive and efficient airport that McCarran has proved itself to be will not change. McCarran is a wonderful airport that has helped elevate Las Vegas to wonderful success.

Yet, clearly also needed is the addition of a Code F Ivanpah Valley Airport so the expanding Airbus A380 can fly to Las Vegas.

Gazing into Las Vegas' future, growth of international tourism will be more and more important. Essential for this will be A380 aircraft.

Even with the professional and important addition of Terminal 3 at McCarran, Las Vegas will still need Ivanpah Valley Airport for, among other air transportation facets, aviation infrastructures allowing the Airbus A380.

For related information, go to If Ivanpah Valley Airport Is Not Built Near Las Vegas at www.greenairport.net/id23.html   

By Robert L. Candiotti

Though the Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 modern jets are experiencing mechanical problems, there is no doubt that these modern aviation models will proceed with wide distribution to long-haul airline companies based all around the world.

Boeing 787 Dreamliners, now almost three years behind schedule, are not in commercial use yet. Approximately 30 Dreamliners are in various states of completion, but recent electrical problems will significantly slow down deliveries.

The Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger jets, have been flying since 2007, but it was about two years behind schedule - and $7 billion beyond budget - before it was finally in service accommodating public travelers. Recent problems, though, relate to an engine explosion on a Qantas A380, forcing an emergency landing, as well as serious investigations.

The two jet manufacturing companies are working professionally and thoroughly on the matters. It is certain these mechanical aviation issues will be corrected, and long distance jet travel will grow through coming years and decades.

In fact, Airbus is predicting intercontinental air traffic will "nearly triple in the next 20 years."

Boeing is saying there are 862 orders for the Dreamliners. Airbus states the number of A380 aircraft on order total 234.

The B787 and A380 manufacturers are dealing with pressing issues, but global jet travel most definitely will increase substantially.

Yet, without the eventual construction of Ivanpah Valley Airport, Las Vegas will not be part of tomorrow's main global jet aviation connectivity.  

By Robert L. Candiotti

To be a truly first-class international global city in the future, a city will need to maintain first-rate international air transportation.

Aviation authorities in Las Vegas, Nevada, with their current diminished commitment to, and enthusiasm for, the proposed Ivanpah Valley Airport may be assuring the city's exclusion from prime futuristic worldwide stature.

Las Vegas really should take note of India's recent construction approval for the new Navi Mumbai International Airport.

The city of Mumbai, in that country's state of Maharashtra, which is India's commercial hub, does have the existing Chattrapai Shivaji airport. However, the approval of a second international airport - Navi Mumbai - indicates India's comprehension that the commercial strength of Mumbai needs to be ensured with a major new airport that will be competent through decades ahead.

It is being said contracts for the new Navi Mumbai International Airport will be awarded within about a year. Following that, creation of the new airport in India will be through several phases. The first phase will accommodate 10 million aviation passengers by 2015. In the final phase, by 2030, it is being said the airport will be handling at least 40 million passengers annually.

Mumbai is an international commercial center. The country - understanding that the new airport will have environmental and human issues that will need to be dealt with - seems to also understand that the secure future of Mumbai requires long-term aviation infrastructures.

Las Vegas is a North American, as well as a foremost international, entertainment center. Las Vegas needs to recognize that international aviation decisions being made right now in India, with transportation plans projected all the way to 2030, are the type of views that would also be appropriate for guaranteeing Las Vegas' position as one of the world's most appealing cities.

Las Vegas does have McCarran International Airport today. Still, it will also need Ivanpah Valley Airport at the distant tomorrow.