Notes
Meeting notes from the November 7, 2016 Aviation Capacity and Air Freight session held at SeaTac International Airport, Beijing Room, 12:30–2:00 PM. Senators Keiser and Warnick made opening remarks. Presentations by Hayley Gamble (Senate Transportation Committee) and Jason Beloso and Tristan Atkins (WSDOT) covered airport daily operations, space capacity, and air cargo data. Top five Sea-Tac air cargo commodities identified as cherries, seafood, footwear parts, aerospace components, and aluminum alloy and graphite. Tom Green (Sea-Tac Senior Manager) noted 80–90% of international cargo originates in Washington State, freight moves by truck with no rail connection, and customs tracks international but not domestic cargo. John Creighton (Port Commissioner, Port of Seattle) discussed Sea-Tac reaching capacity at 446,000 operations per year, Level 2 slot convention issues, and gate closures. Jeff Bishop (Port of Moses Lake Executive Director) addressed leasable space availability. Spokane reported 1,600 acres available for cargo development. Discussion of incentives including cold storage in Tri-Cities, parking at Moses Lake to open Sea-Tac runways, FAST money (Rep. Clibborn), Rail Caucus involvement (Rep. Gregerson), and potential air freight study or budget proviso.