Are airports necessary?

[IntrepidMan 0]

I have a growing city of about 100,000 people and they're clamoring for an airport. I want this city to be a major commercial center with a large population--as close to 1,000,000 people as I can get. Airports, especially international airports, take up a lot of space and cost a lot of money to maintain. Are they really that useful? If I put one in a neighboring suburb would it still benefit my main city?

[ScarcticCG 3]

Yes as they boost demand for commercial zoning. They also look good if placed well, but be careful with that as they can look very out of place if put down poorly. They also boost crime and pollution to those building around it.

[Jezus53 18]

I don't understand why crimeis increasd around airports. They have really high security so the crime should be under control. Anyways, I think airports are a must for any city that wants to be a big commercial hub. The airports relieve the city of a commercial job cap. As far as I have interperted from that is that it allows you to have more commercial jobs after a certain point. Tungston or Livin in Sim and elaborate on that a little more, but I would build one. It's worth the boost.

[Darth Apple 54]

simcity 4 was build right after(and before too) 9/11 , when airport security was increased dramatically , it would be a good modding idea , though.

if you have airport requests this early(like I do) , think of it as a complement , your city planner saying your city is doing well , because , chances are , it is.(airports are not requested unless there is a bunch of commercial office demands in your city... and when there is , its a good sign that your educational system is doing well , and you've managed to attract these kinds of businesses , I like it when my city gets to this point.

[Livin in Sim 83]

Yes, airports do boost commercial demand and/or relieve demand CAPs.  Each airport and upgrade relieve a certain amount, but I don't know the exact figures.  (Spouting off those figures is what the Region Census Repository is for.  ) 

Originally posted by: IntrepidMan  If I put one in a neighboring suburb would it still benefit my main city?quote>

No, unfortunately, airports only directly benefit the city in which they are built.  There may be some indirect benefit through region wide demand, but I'm not totally sure.  And you could use the handy dandy Airport Tram designed by joerg and Suplado.  It's a plaza with all the benefit of the airport.  I don't consider it a cheat, because in RL airports have a much larger service area. 

Airports suffer from high crime because of their large size.  It's a bit of a bug in the game engine that police protection can't extend into the center of lots that are big, like the airport and the university.  I haven't tried the new modular airports, but they might not have that trouble if they are smaller.

Enjoy the game.

--Liv