A new report finds four remote sites being considered for a new regional San Diego airport are economic disasters because they are too far from downtown. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
The four sites include Campo, Borrego Springs, the Imperial County desert and March Air Reserve Base in Riverside. The sites are located 60 to 100 miles away from downtown San Diego. No other major airport in the world is located that far away from a city center. Study author Robert Hazel says the remote locations don't make economic sense for tourist-friendly San Diego.
Hazel: "Air travel demand will fall, tourism will suffer and businesses may not consider relocating to San Diego. San Diego residents will spend more time driving to the airport. That's not a good alternative."
The economic report was presented to the San Diego Regional Airport Authority Board. Seven sites were analyzed altogether. Miramar was considered the best sits for an airport that meets the region's future travel needs.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
