Category : Correspondence(309)

Washington Governor Jay Inslee partially vetoed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1791 on May 16, 2023, striking four sections while approving the rest of the bill, which creates a new State Commercial Aviation Work Group to study the need for additional airport capacity in Washington. The governor vetoed the section requiring simultaneous consideration of new airport sites alongside existing airport expansion, insisting the state should first fully explore increasing capacity at existing airports—excluding Sea-Tac—before pursuing a new airport. The vetoed sections also included a budget redirection of already-spent funds, a retroactive repeal of workgroup authority, and an emergency clause deemed unnecessary given the existing commission's June 2023 reporting timeline.

The Washington Aviation System Plan is a 20-year statewide guide aimed at building a more integrated, multimodal air transportation network across Washington State. Signed by Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar, the plan highlights aviation's role as an economic driver, community connector, and environmental tool, citing benefits such as expanded travel options, improved emergency services, and reduced carbon emissions. It calls for collaboration among federal, state, local, and tribal governments, communities, and the aviation industry to meet the state's growing transportation needs.

The Port of Seattle submitted comments to the FAA in April 2023 regarding proposed rules for airport air carrier incentive programs, arguing that airports should have broad flexibility to design their own incentive programs rather than follow a rigid list of prohibited practices. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), which has run a New Air Service Incentive Program for over 15 years, raised concerns about a blanket ban on transferring funds to carriers, arguing that reimbursing carriers for pre-approved marketing activities should not be considered a prohibited subsidy. The Port also sought clarification on eligibility rules for competitive services and the 30-day public notice requirement for incentive agreements.

The Port of Seattle issued a March 2023 notice requiring all ground transportation operators at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to sign and submit renewed operating agreements by April 28, 2023. Operators can submit agreements by email, mail, or in person at the Ground Transportation Office on the third floor of the airport parking garage. Required documents vary by operator type—such as airporters, charter buses, crew vans, and limousines—but generally include a signed agreement, proof of insurance, vehicle registrations, and a company information form.

In December 2022, the Port of Seattle and six nearby cities (SeaTac, Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, Tukwila, and Federal Way) wrote to Washington's congressional delegation urging them to include aircraft noise and emissions reforms in the 2023 FAA Reauthorization bill. Their seven proposals cover topics such as expanding federal funding for noise insulation upgrades in homes near Sea-Tac Airport, creating a new Aircraft Noise Advisory Committee, and accelerating the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to cut carbon and air pollution. The letter reflects the work of the SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), a collaborative forum the Port and cities jointly established to address the growing impact of airport operations on surrounding communities.