Airports should not be located more than _____ minutes from the majority of their users.

Airports should not be located more than _____ minutes from the majority of their users.

• A. 10 minutes
• B. 20 minutes
• C. 40 minutes
• D. 30 minutes

Answer: (D)

Access to an airport from where most people live is a key factor in its location. The catchment area depends on how long travelers are willing to drive. A target of about thirty minutes by car ensures the majority can reach the airport in a reasonable, predictable time under normal conditions, supporting convenient travel, reliable operations, and strong access for users. If the threshold were much shorter, like ten or twenty minutes, the airport would have to be placed extremely close to population centers and still might miss a large portion of potential users. If it were much longer, like forty minutes, many travelers would choose other airports, reducing accessibility and market reach. Thirty minutes strikes a practical balance that maximizes accessibility for the majority.

Access to an airport from where most people live is a key factor in its location. The catchment area depends on how long travelers are willing to drive. A target of about thirty minutes by car ensures the majority can reach the airport in a reasonable, predictable time under normal conditions, supporting convenient travel, reliable operations, and strong access for users. If the threshold were much shorter, like ten or twenty minutes, the airport would have to be placed extremely close to population centers and still might miss a large portion of potential users. If it were much longer, like forty minutes, many travelers would choose other airports, reducing accessibility and market reach. Thirty minutes strikes a practical balance that maximizes accessibility for the majority.