The FAA encourages major airports to come up with a new master plan every four to five years. The last time a plan was done in Anchorage was 10 years ago.

Tuesday evening was the first opportunity for Anchorage residents to meet with plan developers. The goal of the meeting was to explain what a master plan is and let people voice there concerns about airport expansion.

A new plan had been in the works six years ago but was put on hold when the economy took a down turn. According to airport manager John Parrot the aviation industry is volatile with demand and capacity varying widely."Given that volatility that now appears to be the norm we are going to go ahead and attempt to complete a master plan taking that into account, rather than waiting for the industry to stabalize."

Ethan Phaler will be moving to Anchorage from Los Angeles for consulting firm Reynolds, Smith and Hills."Ultimately, we want the people to understand this is about investing in the states infrasturcture to enhance the long term viability of that piece of infrastructure for the people of Alaska"

Concerns of people attending ranged from added noise expansion will bring, who has final say on the master plan and utilizing the land around the airport to its maxim potential.

Airport management promising more public meetings before the final plan is drafted at the end of 2013.