Stories
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2026-09-21Boeing allowed to keep making 777 freighter despite climate rules
By Lauren Rosenblatt Seattle Times business reporter The Federal Aviation Administration last week granted Boeing’s 777 freighter a few more years of production, waiving looming emissions requirements for up to 35 new aircraft. Without that exemption, Boeing would have had to sunset production of the Everett-built 777 freighter in 2028 because the cargo plane would -
2026-09-20VA Senators drop bill to cap operations at Reagan DCA
Targets all the right problems. Almost no chance of passing. On September 10, Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner introduced the DCA Air Safety Act, a response to the January 2025 midair collision near Reagan National that killed 67 people. It is the single most direct statement for rational airport management in four decades. It -
2026-09-18Nashville suburbs sue FAA over new departure headings
Nashville's suburbs are taking the FAA to court arguing against the same shortcut to changing flight paths used in so many previous community lawsuits: CATEX, challenging new departure headings and Performance-Based Navigation procedures at Nashville International Airport — an airport growing from 200,000 to an expected 300,000-plus annual operations by 2037. At the heart of the case are troubling contradictions in the FAA's own paperwork: noise modeling that claims zero impact anywhere in the study area, while a separate FAA letter quietly acknowledges noise increases of more than 5 dB in two locations. Add in a categorical exclusion that deliberately splits one airspace redesign into smaller pieces to avoid public environmental review, and a nature preserve being modeled without accounting for terrain — and a familiar pattern emerges. -
2026-09-14VA Senators Kaine, Warner introduce bill to curb overcrowding at Reagan National Airport
Federal lawmakers will consider a proposal to reduce congestion around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, one of the busiest aviation hubs in the nation. No survivors found in crash between military helicopter and jet over Potomac River near DC Virginia’s U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Democrats, announced the DCA Air -
2026-09-10Sea-Tac Airport’s Spot Saver program is going away this fall
By Angela Lim Seattle Times features reporter General screening passengers flying out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will see one fewer way to skip the lines at security checkpoints beginning this fall. The airport announced Thursday that its SEA Spot Saver program — which allowed travelers to book a TSA security appointment in advance for free, -
2026-09-09Ep #42 Data, Data Centers, and you (Raw!)
An update to listeners affected by sound insulation issues. You are not forgotten despite our heavy focus on the SAMP (Sustainable Airport Master Plan) throughout the year. ### Sound Insulation as a Basic Right - Sound insulation as a **fundamental right**, not an afterthought - The Port of Seattle conducted a **new Part 150 Study** as part of the SAMP - That noise study has been used to **further expansion plans** - A significant portion of SAMP advocacy has been directed toward securing **relief for affected residents** ### Port Package Update Program - Slow Progress - The Port proposed a **Port Package update program in 2024** - The process has been **slow-walked** since then - Concerns raised about: - **Window-dressing** by involved parties - **Opposition from some affected city councils** (described as "beyond shameful") ### 📋 Legislative Action - What's Coming -
2026-09-07
Ep #41 Port Package Updates… update (Raw!)
This **raw episode** serves as an update to listeners affected by sound insulation issues. You are not forgotten despite our heavy focus on the SAMP (Sustainable Airport Master Plan) throughout the year. --- ## Key Topics Covered ### Sound Insulation as a Basic Right - The host frames sound insulation as a **fundamental right**, not an afterthought - The Port of Seattle conducted a **new Part 150 Study** as part of the SAMP - That noise study has been used to **further expansion plans** - A significant portion of SAMP advocacy has been directed toward securing **relief for affected residents** ### Port Package Update Program - Slow Progress - The Port proposed a **Port Package update program in 2024** - The process has been **slow-walked** since then - Concerns raised about: - **Window-dressing** by involved parties - **Opposition from some affected city councils** (described as "beyond shameful") ### 📋 Legislative Action - What's Coming -
2026-09-03
CAWG Postgame: Regional Airport System?
Peter Kirsch explains how three separate airports could act like one This week’s Commercial Aviation Work Group meeting made clear that this is not a second airport committee. The main event was a presentation by Peter Kirsch. You can believe what Mr. Kirsch says because, in addition to being a principal at one of the -
2026-08-30American Airlines makes no money—But it will spend millions on Trump Accounts to build goodwill in Washington
by Gary Leff on August 31, 2026 American Airlines will contribute $1,000 to Trump Accounts opened for eligible children of its employees, matching the federal government’s $1,000 seed contribution. This is a parting gift from Nate Gatten to the administration as he leaves to head government relations for Apple, and helps to set the airline -
2026-08-25Ep #40 Thank you, Explorer!
What if the solution to decades of airport noise and community impacts has been hiding in plain sight all along? In this open letter to city managers across airport communities, we revisit a landmark yet largely forgotten document: the Sea-Tac Communities Plan of 1976. Built on the Port of Seattle's promise — *"As we do better, you'll do better"* — this collaborative plan was supposed to be the long-term answer for neighborhoods living under the flight path. So why has it been reduced to little more than an expensive property buyout program? The answer reveals a critical gap that neither elected officials nor community advocates can fill alone. Real, lasting solutions require sustained professional commitment to airport community planning — something that should have been established 50 years ago. If you work in city management, this episode speaks directly to you and the unique role only you can play in finally delivering on that broken promise.