Private developers
in the U.S. and Europe wanted to build Wayports. The Russians wanted to build them. European businessmen wanted
to build them in Italy, Ireland and England. Sir Colin Marshall of British Airways said they should
be built. McKinley Conway who founded the magazine "Site Selection" was the first to describe Wayports
as New Airport Cities which are now being promoted worldwide as Aerotropolis. Articles appeared in the NYTimes,
Wall Street Journal, USAToday, local media outlets and aviation industry publications with invitations for me
speak to groups and conventions.
A major
large airline passenger and cargo hub airport announced in 2011 it's a Wayport. Also there was a great article USAToday
titled "Wayports Can Save Us From Hellacious Hubs". It's included under Endorsements Page that
follows this page.
Wayports was called the
"Interstate Aviation System" by those who believed it would do the same for air transportation
that Interstates do for surface transportation. Senators Frank Lautenberg and Trent Lott said in 2006 "we
now need the vision that created the Interstate Highway System that will meet our needs in the 21st century. A Vision
is included in a PAGE on the left. T
The Reason Foundation stated in its October 14, 2011 Airport Policy & Security Newsletter "let me also
call your attention to two examples that are making use of the wayport concept today. Darwin and Dubai. The latter
is already the world's third-busiest airport, and it's not due to O&D traffic. Situated in a low-population desert kingdom,
Dubai International is the principal hub for fast-growing Emirates, which connects long-haul flights from all over the world
through this airport. In July the airport announced a $7.8 Billion expansion, and Emirates has 90 Airbus A-380's on order.
Dubai International may be a special case, due to it location, but so far it seems to be succeeding as a wayport. Picking
up on this model is Australia's Darwin International, on Australia's very lightly populated north coast. Both Quantas and
Jetstar have set forth plans to develop it into a long-haul and domestic hub".
As you might expect, Wayports created major controversy. The establishment
represented by major airlines, big cities and their airport
management believed their airport and passenger and cargo interests were threatened by Wayports.
They viciously opposed studies of Wayports recommended
by Congress and some attacked me personally. They could not understand how a "nobody" could create such worldwide
interest and media frenzy. Large airports and large airlines did not like the idea of off-loading passengers, cargo and U.S.
Mail that connected through their hubs.
These
powerful aviation industry and political groups persuaded FAA to rescind its support of Wayports. FAA refused to let me brief
the Russians when they came to America. (A 2010 story said Wayports were created in Siberia and Norway). FAA ordered me to
stop promoting Wayports and refer all contacts to Washington. This undeserved censorship caused me to resign from a career
I truly loved. FAA then had to do something because of support for Wayports especially in Congress, so they tried to
change the name and define the concept in a way I stringently opposed. FAA tried to redefine Wayports saying they were in
the middle of nowhere and for the exclusive use of connecting and transferring passengers which was a lie and
I strongly objected.
Congress directed FAA to study Wayports
which was never done. It's time for FAA to obey Congress and evaluate Wayports that will prove it's a worthy
concept. I would like to be part of that evaluation.
Documents
and supporting information discussed herein are shown on PAGES on the left. The term Wayports and Wayports Concept
can be researched on the Internet for comments and reviews.
My name is James Sheppard. I worked for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for 30 years planning and developing
airports as Manager of field offices covering all 7 Southern States. I worked for the 3rd largest international airport
in the U.S., after retiring from FAA. I am now an Aviation Consultant. I refuse to give up because Wayports is a worthy cause
that offers a solution to the lack of nationwide airport system capacity.
I intend to reveal more details naming events and individuals to complete the Wayports Story in a book I am writing.