Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport reverses plans

Expansion to second North/
South runway scrapped for now

Anchorage, AK-Plans for a new runway at Anchorage's international airport have been postponed indefinitely.

The decision comes a day after about 200 people attended a public hearing to protest the proposal that would have meant rerouting the city's popular coastal trail.

Airport director Mort Plumb says the decision is based on uncertainty and instability in the financially wracked aviation industry.

But some who attended Wednesday's hearing believe the strong public opposition displayed also played a role.

Also at the hearing, a representative from Alaska Airlines said 25 airlines oppose the development of a fourth runway.

Kathy Smith, manager of airport affairs for Alaska Airlines, says airlines believe the proposed runway is unnecessary and unaffordable.