b'AIRFIELD CAPACITY In January 2019, the FAA completed a 180-day testing periodAirfield capacity is typically described in terms of hourly capacity andof a new standardized process to support demand-based CRO. Under annual capacity under various weather conditions. The table belowthe new process, MSP air traffic will only use Runway 35 for arrivals reflects the hourly capacity for MSP in optimum, marginal and poor(and implement the CRO mitigations) when demand at the airport weather conditions.justifies the use of that runway. Currently there are three, well-defined arrival/departure banks at MSP when traffic demand is at its highest MSP Airfield Capacity points (Monday through Friday during the 7AM, 4PM and 6PM hours), Weather ConditionsOperations per hour when such a need has been demonstrated. The results of the 180-day test were incorporated into Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Optimal Rate (1) . 158 by the ATCT, TRACON and ARTCC at MSP. Marginal Rate (2) . 146 In late 2018 and early 2019, the MAC began the data collection IFR Rate (3) 114 process for the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport 2040 Long-Notes:Term Comprehensive Plan. The Plan is a forward-looking planning (1) Ceiling and visibility above minima for visual approaches. tool that studies facility and infrastructure needs based on projected (2) Below visual approach minima but better than instrument conditions.20-year passenger demand and aircraft operations. A component of (3) Instrument flight rules (IFR) are required in meteorological conditions with a cloud ceiling less than 1,000 feet or visibility less than 3 miles.the planning process is conducting a thorough capacity evaluation Source: Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control Tower Analysis using state-of-the-art simulation tools. This evaluation will help predict how the MSP airfield and close-in airspace will perform under future MSPs current airfield capacity is 158 aircraft operations in optimumaircraft activity levels.conditions.When instrument flight rules are being used due tolow-level, heavy cloud cover and/or low visibility capacity dropsto 114 operations. Converging Runway Operations (CRO) were implemented in2015 which resulted on an impact to airfield capacity. During 2018, the FAA continued the implementation of tools and agreements designed to standardize operating expectations within its air traffic control system. The three MSP air traffic control facilitiesTower (ATCT), Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), and Minneapolis Center (ARTCC)have similar interests in controlling air traffic but different constraints on their activity. To standardize the agreements regarding use of CRO, the facilities began to develop standard operating procedures between the three facilities that identify the variables necessary to commence CRO measures.vi'