PSRC to lead Regional Aviation Baseline Study

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 20, 2018
Contact: Rick Olson, 206.971.3050, rolson@psrc.org

Puget Sound Regional Council to lead Regional Aviation Baseline Study

SEATTLE – The Puget Sound Regional Council is receiving a $1.6 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration for a new Regional Aviation Baseline Study.

The Regional Aviation Baseline Study will provide a clear picture of the aviation activities and needs in the central Puget Sound region and set the stage for future planning.

“Passenger and cargo volumes at the region’s airports are at record levels due to the strength of the regional economy. Now is the right time to identify future demand on the region’s airfields and air space,” said Josh Brown, Executive Director of the PSRC. “The study will examine commercial air service, cargo and manufacturing, and incorporate community perspectives on airfields throughout the region.”

The study will build on master planning underway at several airports within the central Puget Sound region, including King County International Airport (Boeing Field), Renton Municipal Airport, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Sea-Tac has seen significant growth in the number of passengers served and aircraft operations over the past several years. New commercial service is expected to begin at Paine Field in Everett in the first quarter of 2019.

The study will examine the dynamics of the region’s growing aviation activity, the unique role of the regional aviation system in supporting this global center for aerospace manufacturing, the economic impact of the region’s airports, and community issues and concerns with airport activities.

The regional airport system consists of 24 public use airports and two military airfields. The airport system includes: Sea-Tac International Airport, Boeing Field/King County International Airport, Paine Field/Snohomish County Airport, McChord Air Force Base and Gray Army Airfield at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, three other general aviation reliever airports, six regional airports, two local airports, and seven general use airports. This inventory includes five seaplane bases, two of which are operated by Kenmore Air.

The study will be launched in fall 2018 and is expected to be completed by the spring of 2020.

PSRC develops policies and coordinates decisions about regional growth, transportation and economic development planning within King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties. The Council is composed of over 80 entities, including all four counties, cities and towns, ports, state and local transportation agencies and tribal governments within the region.

Title VI Notice: PSRC fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. For more information, or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, call 206-587-4819.

中文 Chinese, 한국 Korean, Русский Russian, Español Spanish, Tagalog, Tiếng việt Vietnamese, call 206-587-4819.
###