As the airline that flies most travelers in and out of Philadelphia, US Airways has gone public with its pitch for a runway plan that moves more cautiously. The airline suggests that construction be tied to benchmarks, such as the growth in air travel.
US Airways' most compelling case - and it's backed by competitors like Southwest and Delta Air Lines - is that delays will continue even with a new runway unless steps are taken to ease congestion in the region's airspace.
Meanwhile, the airlines' costs will rise, perhaps substantially, by virtue of increased leases and higher landing fees to cover the expansion cost.
In effect, the airlines see themselves as tenants whose landlord wants to hike the rent to pay for fancy kitchen remodeling - yet the real problem is that the roof's leaking.
Who's right, landlord or tenants? Clouding that answer is the fact that there are warring estimates from the city, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the airlines on the costs and benefits of the runway project.
There are other key variables in play, too - chiefly, whether a United Parcel Service sorting facility can be relocated to free up the Delaware River property destined to host the runway.
On the airspace issue, the FAA in recent years has tinkered with flight rules to speed traffic. And it's at work now on a full redesign for New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia airspace - so that could come online as the local runway project unfolds.
Even with the tenor of the runway disagreement, it's encouraging to note just how many elements of the city's airport expansion plans are backed by the airlines.
US Airways is overseeing a renovation to the commuter terminal, and the airlines support construction of a new rental-car transportation facility, acquiring land for the UPS move, and, in general, enlarging the airport footprint for future growth.
