Category : Explainers

We’ve begun using the term “Fourth Runway” to describe two large projects (SR-509 and the Sustainable Airport Master Plan) as one system, which they are. The two projects have always been part of a regional plan begun over fifty years ago to meet the strategic goals of the Port Of Seattle and regional planners. The construction of SR-509 will affect the communities are great deal. But starting in 2027 the projects will also increase flight operations at least 33% and cargo operations by 300%.

Introduction The growth of Sea-Tac Airport has definitely not been linear. There have been many fits and starts that don’t make for easy sound bites. For example, Sea-Tac Airport was able to run over 400,000 operations in 2000 on only two runways. By the time the Third Runway opened for business on November, 20 2008,

The Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) is the blueprint for increasing flight capacity by one third in the next ten years. It will have the same community impact as the Third Runway. In fact, it is happening now. How this is possible, and what it means for us.

The (very) good news is that there is more than one zero-emission aviation technology coming. But at the risk of being Mr. Negative, at least for airport communities, electric airplanes are no panacea. And we say that not to inspire despair but to tell residents the realities, which are: Each of these alternatives comes with

No. And maybe. Objectively speaking, individual aircraft flyovers near Sea-Tac Airport are not getting lower or louder. (Before you click away in disgust, note that some of our members live as low as ‘760’, ie. when correcting for sea level less than 400 feet directly under the belly of an aircraft. No one is more

The purpose of this explainer is is sort of a handy one-pager for candidates for a seat on the Port Commission. In the past two elections I’ve met with numerous candidates to discuss what the Port Commission might be able to do to help airport communities address the negative impacts from Sea-Tac Airport. The answer.

Spoiler alert: The answer is not ‘The Third Runway’. However, you might call the current situation for residents in certain neighborhoods around Sea-Tac Airport a ‘Perfect Storm’. What’s The Frequency, Kenneth? Yes, there has been a great deal of growth in the number of daily operations. First, there is the fact that in 2012 Delta

The Port is a very misunderstood institution. Understanding its structure and its mission are keys to any successful strategy to reduce noise and pollution at Sea-Tac.