August 1, 2018August 1, 2026

Sea-Tac International Airport economic impacts

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Port of Seattle

This 2018 Port of Seattle report analyzes the economic impact of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, finding that Sea-Tac — the 9th busiest U.S. airport — hosted 46.8 million passengers in 2017 and directly supported 19,100 jobs and $5.6 billion in economic activity. When multiplier effects are included, the airport contributed nearly $22.5 billion to Washington's economy and supported over 151,400 jobs statewide. The report also highlights Sea-Tac's role in connecting Washington export industries, such as the cherry-growing regions of Yakima Valley and Wenatchee, to global markets.

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This report by Community Attributes Inc. for the Port of Seattle analyzes the economic impacts of Sea-Tac International Airport on Washington state. It covers the airport’s role as a key business asset, including its support of industries like cherry exports, and quantifies direct and indirect economic contributions including jobs, wages, and total economic activity in 2017.

As the source for federal transportation grants, the Puget Sound Regional Council was charged with developing a system to meet the growing need for commercial aviation. When the search for a second airport failed, they authorized the Port of Seattle to build the Third Runway, with a mandate to develop a noise abatement and mitigation program. In their effort to stop the Third Runway, the ACC argued over every detail of the Port's efforts--including property buyouts and sound insulation. The dispute was meant to be settled by a three member Expert Arbitration Panel. This is their final report. It finds 2-1, that the Port's program was insufficient in several respects. Despite that, funding for the Third Runway was approved by the PSRC, and the 'Port Package' program, proceeded largely unchanged. Expert Arbitration Panel's final decision finding that the Port of Seattle had not shown sufficient reduction in real on-the-ground noise impacts to satisfy noise reduction conditions required for approval of a third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport. The majority decision concluded the Port's noise abatement programs were insufficient despite being impressive in scope.

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