LRD MASTER PLAN - Fly Laredo

LAREDO MASTER PLAN

Planning Our Future

The Laredo International Airport (LRD) Master Plan provides a long-term vision that provides Airport management a clear strategy that will meet their goals as the airport continues to grow. An airport master plan is prepared with guidance from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Advisory Circular 150/6070-6B Airport Master Plans – Change 1. Airport master plans are a comprehensive study of an airport and encompasses the short-, medium- and long-term development plans to meet future aviation forecasts. The FAA recommends that airports complete a master plan study every 10 years. The last master plan update for LRD was completed in 2015 just over ten years ago; therefore, LRD has sought out to update their plans. LRD plays a key role in the transportation of cargo between the United States and Mexico as it is located on the southern border of Texas. The LRD Master Plan Update aims to provide guidance that will allow the airport to maximize its operational efficiency, business effectiveness, and maximizing it’s use for aeronautical and non-aeronautical development. This Master Plan will be executed with FAA guidance, stakeholder input, and a public involvement program to inform and receive feedback.

Master Plan Key Objectives

The Airport met with a consulting team to define goals and objectives to focus within the master plan.

Master Plan Status

The Master Plan Update will be an 18 to 24-month process to select a preferred development plan option and prepare a Final Report.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

What is an Airport Master Plan?

An Airport Master Plan is a comprehensive study of an airport that usually describes short-, medium-, and long-term development plans to meet future aviation demand. The level of detail depends on the airport’s goals and pertinent issues within the airfield; it also could be scoped from the airport’s size. This study typically covers a base year and accommodates up to a 20-year planning horizon. Planning for airports takes place at multiple levels, national, state, regional, and local level. The plan is formulated based on transportation demands and collaborates with transportation and land use planning initiatives. The Master Plan creates two deliverables: the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) and the technical report. The ALP consists of concepts in a series of drawings while the technical report explains the reasonings and processes of how the concepts were found.

Why is Laredo International Airport doing a Master Plan update?

The latest Master Plan Update for LRD was completed in 2015. Since then, there have been many changes in the aviation industry, the type of aircraft operating (fleet mix), the passenger activity, volume of cargo activity, and FAA design standard requirements at the airport. LRD has grown over the past decade in many different ways that have to be evaluated to update their strategic vision. This plan is to seek guidance from professional planners as well as the airport’s stakeholders, including the surrounding community it serves.

Who is funding the LRD Master Plan Update?

Laredo International Airport is operated by the City of Laredo. Airport revenues are used to support airport operations as well as meeting required local contributions for federally funded Capital Improvement Program projects. This Airport Master Plan Study is funded using a 90% federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant with the remaining 10% being supported by state or local airport funds.

When will the Master Plan study be completed?

The Master Plan update is anticipated to be completed by the fall of 2026.

Is an airport required to have a Master Plan?

Before the airport can be eligible to receive federal funding support for improvement projects, it must undergo Federal Aviation Administration requirements. The airport must be included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). LRD is included in the NPIAS, therefore, to be granted federal funding support for improvement projects it is necessary for the projects to be shown on the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) with justification in the technical report.

What are the components of the Master Plan study?

The components of the Airport Master Plan study include:

› An inventory of existing facilities and collection of current activity data
› Development of an aviation activity forecast
› Determination of future facility requirements (Airfield, Terminal, & Landside)

› Evaluation of alternative development concepts
› Development of a financial implementation plan and Capital Improvement Plan
› An environmental review to identify implementation actions

› Creating the Airport Layout Plan documents in accordance with federal design standards

What is the goal for the Master Plan update?

LRD envisions itself as a dynamic hub that drives economic growth in the city and region by creating opportunities for both domestic and international passenger and cargo transportation. The airport created goals to integrate sustainability into its operational and financial practices. The airport also seeks to modernize its facilities as well as aligning their services with the industry trends and needs of its diverse users. These goals will be considered within the Master Plan to recommend strategies to achieve them.

What known challenges exist at LRD?

LRD has several challengers this Master Plan update will focus on to identify future solutions and improvements. Many challenges exist due to their aging facilities, changing FAA design standards, new airport/passenger security requirements, a shift in airline business models, and how airport users are using the airport’s facilities. Some of these areas include, but are not limited to:

› Terminal and landside improvements
› Airfield geometry and design standards

› Airfield safety standards
› Airport cargo facilities
› Land use planning

› Pavement rehabilitation and maintenance

Will the Master Plan update propose expansion of airfield facilities such as runway and taxiways?

This Master Plan process of identifying the need for airfield improvements will be based on the approved FAA forecast and critical design standards. Any identified requirements for airfield improvements will be recommended for the airport to implement at the demand level trigger.

When will the project identified in the Master Plan be implemented?

The Master Plan update will identify projects which may be implemented dependent upon levels of demand, known as “demand level triggers,” over the coming 20-year period. Prior to implementation, each project will undergo individual analysis for environmental review through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Additionally, the project must secure funding prior to implementation or design. Once these two steps are completed, construction can begin when the demand is not being met.

Who typically pays for projects recommended in the Master Plan?

LProjects recommended in the Master plan are typically funded from a variety of sources including FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants, airport revenue funds, customer facility charges (CFCs), passenger facility charges (PFCs), and various forms of bonds. Property tax revenues may be used to provide the local “match” to various grants.