Carnigan International Airport was once the busiest airport in the

Question

Carnigan International Airport was once the busiest airport in the region, but two major airlines have relocated to nearby airports, reducing the number of fights in and out of Carnigan by more than half. The gates at Carnigan were built more than thirty years ago and cannot accommodate the largest modern aircraft. In an effort to bring in more business, Carnigan officials plan to build dozens of gates to accommodate modern aircraft and offer reduced-rate leases to airlines willing to make long-term commitments.

Which of the following, if true, most threatens the plan's likelihood of success?

(A) Most of the airlines operating out of nearby airports have long-term leases on gates at the other airports.

(B) The existing gates at Carnigan rent at rates that are, on average, much lower than the proposed rates for the new gates to be built there.

(C) Because of highway congestion and changing development patterns that make Carnigan inconvenient to access, airline customers prefer to depart from other
airports.

(D) Of the 18 airlines that serve Carnigan or nearby airports, none serve more than one airport in the area.

(E) If the proposed addition is completed, Carnigan will be the largest airport, as measured both by gates and square footage, in the region.

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Abhiswarup · Answer

Carnigan's plan to build dozens of gates and offer lease at reduced rates for airlines who are eager for long term commitments so that new business can be brought.

Which statement threatens the plan's success?

Lets analyze options:
(A) Most of the airlines operating out of nearby airports have long-term leases on gates at the other airports.
Not all airlines have long term leases and there may be possibility of success of plan. Eliminate.
(B) The existing gates at Carnigan rent at rates that are, on average, much lower than the proposed rates for the new gates to be built there.
There is no mention of gates rent. Eliminate.
(C) Because of highway congestion and changing development patterns that make Carnigan inconvenient to access, airline customers prefer to depart from other
airports.
The airport becomes inaccessible which will become reason for airlines not willing to move to Carigan airport even after new gates and infrastructure. Lets keep option C.
(D) Of the 18 airlines that serve Carnigan or nearby airports, none serve more than one airport in the area.
Factual information, plans can be made to have long term commitments. Doesn't clearly answer whether plan will fail. Eliminate.
(E) If the proposed addition is completed, Carnigan will be the largest airport, as measured both by gates and square footage, in the region.
The statement makes it largest airport and therefore it can be factor for success. Eliminate.

Answer should be C.

Sketchitesh · Answer

two major airline relocated -> reduction in no of flights by half

Gates are old can't accommodate large modern aircraft. 
Plan/Conclusion: Build new large gates, reduce rate lease for lone term commitment.

Question (Threaten the plan's success). In weaken type of questions. 
Identify the conclusion. Option should weaken the conclusion. 
or Identify if A Causes B given. Weaken statements should say C causes B or both B & A ; or B causes A.

Here Old gates can't accommodate causing airline to relocate.

1. Most of the airlines operating out of nearby airports have long-term leases on gates at the other airports. 
  But what if these two major airlines don't have long term lease. Most airline is not equal to Most no of flights)  Eliminate.

2. The existing gates at Carnigan rent at rates that are, on average, much lower than the proposed rates for the new gates to be built there.
 But what if it is still lower than rates at out of nearby airports.   Eliminate.

3. Because of highway congestion and changing development patterns that make Carnigan inconvenient to access, airline customers prefer to depart from other
airports.
 This says C (Other factors) is causing B. So even if you work on A (Gates) , B (Business) might not happen.  Keep it

4. Of the 18 airlines that serve Carnigan or nearby airports, none serve more than one airport in the area.
 Clearly Irrelevant

5. If the proposed addition is completed, Carnigan will be the largest airport, as measured both by gates and square footage, in the region. 
i s it given that Largest (Gates and Area) = Highest business ? NO  Eliminate

C is Correct Answer

Dereno · Answer

Let’s first analyse the question stem.

Carnigan International Airport  was once the busiest airport  in the region,  but two major airlines have relocated  to nearby airports,  reducing the number of fights  in and out of Carnigan  by more than half.  Previously considered as one of the busiest airports is now operating flights with reduced numbers, since the relocation of two major airlines.

The reason for relocation is : Carnigan gates built thirty years ago is not able to accommodate the new largest modern aircrafts . So the plan of Carnigan officials is to revive the business back, by building dozens of gates to accommodate modern aircraft. Secondly, offer reduced rate leases to airlines who are willing to make long term commitments.

we need to weaken the plan proposed by the officials.

Even though after building modern gates to accommodate newer aircraft. If still we are not able to attract the airlines for some other reasons, then the plan is a failure.

WHICH OPTION MOST THREATENS THE SUCCESS OF THE PLAN.?
  
(A) Most of the airlines operating out of nearby airports have long-term leases on gates at the other airports.

This is a significant threat. If airlines are locked into long-term commitments at competing airports, they are unlikely to move to Carnigan, even with reduced-rate leases. Let’s keep this option for now.

(B) The existing gates at Carnigan rent at rates that are, on average, much lower than the proposed rates for the new gates to be built there.

On average means it can be at both extremes, either higher than the existing gates or lower than existing gates. Hence eliminated.

(C) Because of highway congestion and changing development patterns that make Carnigan inconvenient to access, airline customers prefer to depart from other airports.

This is a major threat. If passengers prefer other airports due to accessibility issues, airlines will be less inclined to operate significantly from Carnigan, regardless of modern gates or lease rates. This will definitely hamper the choice of carnigan airports keeping in mind the hassle associated with traffic congestion and associated issues.

So we can now, remove option A and fix at option C.

(D) Of the 18 airlines that serve Carnigan or nearby airports, none serve more than one airport in the area.

This factual data doesn’t threaten the plan.

(E) If the proposed addition is completed, Carnigan will be the largest airport, as measured both by gates and square footage, in the region.

If the huge advantage gathered because of size, cannot bring in more players into game. This grandiose plan will not be fruitful. Out of scope.

Correct answer is  option C

Bunuel · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

C

The phrase "most threatens" indicates that this is a weaken question. The underlying assumption, much like the assumption in many "plan" questions, is that the plan will have the desired effect: modern gates and reduced rates at Carnigan will bring back more airlines. We're looking for some reason why the improvements at Carnigan won't have that effect.

Choice (A) is possible, though doubtful; leases might keep airlines from moving back, but there is no specific timetable mentioned in the question, and for all we know, those long-term leases may be about to run out. (B) is an irrelevant comparison, between the rates on older and newer gates at Carnigan. (C) looks good: If airline customers don't want to deal with Carnigan, airlines have a good reason not to relocate there, despite the advantages set forth by the planners at Carnigan.

Choice (D) is another irrelevant comparison: It doesn't matter whether airports serve more than one airport. If anything, the fact that each airport flies out of one location makes the plan more likely to succeed, since there are many airlines with no presence at Carnigan. Choice (E) is yet another irrelevant comparison; the size of the airport has no effect (that we know about, anyway) on business moving from one airport to another. Choice (C) is correct.

Carnigan International Airport was once the busiest airport in the

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Carnigan International Airport was once the busiest airport in the

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

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My Rewards