Airport expansion becomes routine

A April 17, 1966 Seattle Times article reports that the Port of Seattle Commission voted to acquire 156 additional acres, expanding Seattle-Tacoma International Airport from its original 1,100 acres at opening in 1949 to over 1,500 acres. The expansion coincided with Boeing's announcement of the 490-passenger 747, reflecting rapid growth in air travel and freight. The article also details mounting legal challenges from roughly 300 neighboring property owners seeking over $2.5 million in compensation for noise-related property value losses, particularly since the introduction of jet aircraft in 1960.

Notes

A Seattle Times article from April 17, 1966 reporting on the Port of Seattle Commission’s vote to acquire 156 additional acres for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, coinciding with Boeing’s announcement of the 490-passenger 747. The article traces the airport’s growth from 1,100 acres at its 1949 opening to 1,377 acres, and discusses noise-related lawsuits from neighboring property owners following the introduction of jet aircraft in 1960.

V V