The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority will discuss the cross-border terminal idea when it meets Monday.
The authority’s board will decide whether to establish the scope of work for a study that would determine just how feasible a cross-border terminal would be. Although it’s a small step – it certainly doesn’t guarantee the terminal will ever be built – it signals what appears to be the authority’s lukewarm interest.
The cross-border idea would establish a terminal just north of Tijuana International Airport that would allow people to park in San Diego and cross into Mexico to fly out. About 350,000 people a year do that now, according to estimates. A cross-border terminal could triple that, its supporters say.
The discussion comes just more than a month after the authority chose Marine Corps Air Station Miramar as the long-term solution to projections that Lindbergh Field will max out its capacity after 2015.
Board members say the cross-border discussion is completely separate from the authority’s site-selection process. They’re defensive about it – they repeat this point without being asked.
South Bay supporters say the cross-border terminal would ease the burden on Lindbergh Field. Airport officials say just the opposite. They point to no benefit to Lindbergh, whatsoever.
You can check out the whereas-laden resolution headed to the board here.
For some well-written background, click here.