8

After reading this answer that a restricted airport caused a strange cutout in Class B, I am wondering if it possible that there are multiple airfields in the same airspace?

If yes, then:

  • Which ATC has most authority
  • How congestion is handled?

Please note that I am not talking about an airport which is under an outer circular shelf of a Class B or C airport.

Farhan
  • 29,390
  • 14
  • 112
  • 183

1 Answers1

7

When there are several airports close to each other, a single ATC, formally known as Terminal Control Center may service all airports. The airspace boundaries and altitudes assigned to a Terminal Control Center, which vary widely from airport to airport, are based on factors such as traffic flows, neighboring airports and terrain.

London Terminal Control Centre is an example of a large and complex Terminal Control Center. Its service area is up to 20,000 feet and out to 100 nautical miles. It controls:

  • six London airports
  • one Royal Air Force station
  • provides en-route services to other aircraft that entered its airspace

Another example can be found with Berlin-Tegel and Berlin-Schönefeld, which have adjacent control zones that share a common boundary west to east and have an overlaying class C TMA airspace up to FL100. Both airports share the same TMA controller/approach sector:
BREMEN RADAR Approach: 119.62

CTR Area Berlin
Image Source: www.skyvector.com


FAA is implementing a new airspace system which will increase efficiencies at metropolitan areas with complex air traffic flows. This system, known as Next Generation Air Transportation System is introducing the concept of a metroplex:

In FAA parlance, metroplex refers to a system of airports in close proximity and their shared airspace that serve one or more major cities. A metroplex has at least one, but often two or more major commercial airports.

SentryRaven
  • 15,660
  • 64
  • 88
Farhan
  • 29,390
  • 14
  • 112
  • 183
  • 2
    this is already done in Norcal: https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/snapshots/metroplexes/?locationId=14 – rbp Jan 07 '15 at 22:58