KCIA Vision 2045 Airport Plan and Part 150 Study

The Part 150 Study is a voluntary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noise study that King County International Airport (KCIA) is undertaking to measure how much airplane noise is affecting noise exposure for people on the ground. As part of this process, KCIA will study potential processes or programs to address effects of airplane noise. The Part 150 Study will be completed according to FAA guidance and will inform aspects of the Vision 2045 Airport Plan.

What the study includes:

• Review of existing and future flight corridors
• Development of aircraft noise exposure maps for current and future flight conditions
• Evaluation of air traffic control procedures that could reduce noise exposure over residential areas
• Consideration of land use controls that could reduce future incompatible land uses (such as residences, schools, and churches) from being developed within high noise exposure areas
• Evaluation of ways to reduce noise impacts within high noise exposure areas

Part 1: Noise Exposure Maps

The study team created Noise Exposure Maps (NEMs) to show current (2023) and projected (2030) noise levels in and around KCIA. Noise exposure is measured using the Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL), which averages noise over a full year. Examples the DNL is based on include types and number of aircraft operations, time of day of aircraft operations, runway usage, and aircraft flight patterns.

FAA guidelines consider land uses outside the 65 DNL contour compatible with aircraft noise. The study team focused the analysis on areas at or above 65 DNL, where property may be eligible for mitigation.

Review the FAA-accepted NEMs and related materials here:

• KCIA FAR Part 150 Study – FAA Acceptance and Final Noise Exposure Map Report
• KCIA FAR Part 150 Study – Final Noise Exposure Map Report Appendix
• March 2025 Part 150 Study Open House Summary

Part 2: Noise Compatibility Program (NCP)

The study team is developing a Noise Compatibility Program (NCP) that will:

• Identify measurable actions to reduce noise
• Promote compatible land uses in the vicinity of an airport

A 45-day public comment period for the Draft Noise Compatibility Program (NCP) was held from Jan. 8, 2026 to Feb. 22, 2026. Public comments were accepted during an in-person and virtual Draft NCP Public Hearing held on Jan. 22, 2026, through the study website (KCIAplanning.com), via email to the study team, or written mail addressed to Matt Sykora at King County International Airport. The study team will review all comments submitted during the public comment period and document the comments in the final NCP report. The draft NCP report was submitted to the FAA in April 2026 for review and approval of the measures identified in the draft NCP report.

Review the Draft NCP and related materials here:

• Draft Noise Compatibility Program Report (PDF)
• Draft Noise Compatibility Program Appendix (PDF)
• Draft NCP Public Hearing presentation video recording

Strategies under consideration

The study team has already reviewed several strategies for reducing noise. Part 150 legislation requires the study team to review several strategies. Of the strategies, the study team:

Recommended:

• Acquire properties or easements within the 65 DNL contour when available
• Continue KCIA’s residential sound insulation program
• Maintain existing Fly Quiet and noise abatement procedures
• Work with local jurisdictions on compatible land use zoning
• Maintain KCIA’s noise office, public flight tracking portal, complaint system, and noise website
• Continue updating NEMs

Not recommended:

• Noise walls or barriers
• Preferential runway use
• Restrictions on aircraft types/classes based on noise
• Use of flight procedures to control operations

Two Part 150 studies at two different airports

The Port of Seattle is conducting a separate Part 150 Study for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) at the same time as KCIA is conducting its Part 150 Study. These Part 150 Studies are separate projects funded by different agencies for different airports. KCIA staff and SEA staff are staying coordinated to help make it easier for the community to participate. For example, public meetings will not be held on the same nights and information about both projects will be shared to inform the community that the two Part 150 Studies are happening at the same time.

Part 150 Study document and links

• KCIA FAR Part 150 Study – FAA Acceptance and Final Noise Exposure Map Report
• KCIA FAR Part 150 Study – Final Noise Exposure Map Report Appendix
• KCIA FAR Part 150 Study – Draft Noise Compatibility Program Report (PDF)
• KCIA FAR Part 150 Study – Draft Noise Compatibility Program Appendix (PDF)