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Regardless of where they put any new runways, or even new airports for that matter, aviation authorities are going to incur the wrath of the environmentalists and local protesters. While I sympathize, what are the options? Would they rather have hundreds more aircraft in holding patterns over the city releasing tonnes more nasty panda-killing dioxides than they would standing at a gate? Increases in air traffic won't go away so tough decisions have to be made.
I agree with what you are saying. Things will probably get worse in the future.With new airlines popping up and with the OPEN SKIES starting in the end of March there will be major conjestion in the skies and not enough airports.
For example I was reading in a magazine that between Boeing and Airbus there is a backlog of 8000 planes on order.Where will these planes land or takeoff from if airport authorities do not plan for the future and expand.
Even the airlines are finding it difficult to find pilots to fly the planes.Based on the current levels of utilization for both aircraft and pilots,17,000 - 18,000 pilots will be required each year for the next 15 - 20 years.Now that is alot of pilots that have to fly alot of planes to alot of airports that need to expand,but as you said Scotsman the wrath of of enviromentalists and local protestors are not far behind,but if you watch when the runway or teminal is built they will be using it also.
Having said all that it look like the future is bright if someone want to be a commerical pilot.They forcast that India and China will require 3,000 - 4,000 pilots a year,while North America and Europe will require 9,000-10,000 a year.
