Notes:
CACC issues its final report
The Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission (CACC) voted on a final recommendation for its final report at the last CACC meeting June 9. That recommendation was to use the results of a Spring 2023 CACC survey as the final report.
The report has the survey results and comments for the upcoming work group Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1791 to use as a guide as they continue the work CACC started.
Highlights of the survey include:
- Washington will only be able to meet future commercial aviation needs (passenger and cargo aviation) by developing a greenfield site. The Commission noted that this has yet to be found.
- Most Commission members who took the survey believe Paine Field will continue to add commercial capacity regardless of the CACC’s recommendation.
- Commissioners noted one of the barriers to their process was the Legislation that created the CACC prevented them from making any recommendations for an aviation facility in King County or near a military installation.
- Even though Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field is the only existing airport interested in becoming the solution, most Commissioners did not think it should be the location for the new primary commercial aviation facility.
- Most Commission members who took the survey believe it will take until 2050 or beyond for a new primary commercial aviation facility to be complete and functional.
The CACC submitted its final report to the Legislature on July 14, and it can be found on the CACC website.
What’s next?
When Gov. Inslee signed ESHB 1791 May 15, he established a new Commercial Aviation Work Group (CAWG). However, he vetoed sections 3, 5, 7, and 8 of the bill. Vetoed sections that did not become law include:
- Section 3: CAWG task list
- Section 5: Existing CACC funding
- Section 7: Repeal of the statutes that created the CACC
- Section 8: Emergency declaration
There is not an immediate timeline for the next steps for the new work group. We will, however, send an update to this listserv and the CACC website with information about next steps when information is available.
Thank you joining us
Thank you to everyone who joined us in person, on Zoom, or via TVW for the CACC’s final meeting on June 9. The input you offered at that meeting and over the past 3.5 years shaped the CACC’s recommendation and will help the state make better decisions about what comes next.
