TagAlaska Air(89)

This November 2018 Port of Seattle commission briefing provides a quarterly update on the NorthSTAR Program, a joint Port of Seattle and Alaska Airlines effort to renovate and expand Sea-Tac Airport's North Satellite facility from 12 to 20 contact gates. Construction was reported as on schedule and within its $672.1 million authorized budget, with Phase 1A — including 5 new gates, a north holdroom, and concessions — on track to open in January 2019. The report also covers workforce diversity metrics, change orders, and upcoming milestones extending through a projected project completion in July 2021.

In a September 2018 letter to the Port of Seattle, Alaska Airlines urged that the environmental review of Sea-Tac Airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) be conducted as a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) rather than the less rigorous Environmental Assessment (EA) proposed by the Port and FAA. The airline argued that an EIS would provide stronger legal protection, more meaningful public input, and ultimately prove more cost-effective by reducing litigation risk. Alaska Airlines also pushed back on the Port's plan to focus expansion alternatives solely on a North Terminal, advocating instead for serious consideration of extending and modifying existing Main Terminal concourses as a viable alternative.

In September 2018, Alaska Airlines submitted formal comments to the Port of Seattle during the scoping phase of Sea-Tac Airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), urging the Port to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) rather than a less rigorous Environmental Assessment (EA). The airline argued that an EIS would better withstand legal challenges, produce more meaningful public input, and ultimately be more cost-effective by reducing litigation risk. Alaska Airlines also called on the Port to broaden the range of alternatives under consideration beyond just North Terminal options, since the SAMP's stated purpose addresses airport-wide concerns.

The Burien Airport Committee (BAC) met on June 19, 2018 to discuss several airport-related issues affecting the city, including an FAA Petition for Review filed by Burien, meetings with Alaska Airlines, and a proposed noise workshop and survey through the StART program. The agenda also covered potential economic opportunities linked to airport proximity and plans for future presentations on environmental justice and public health impacts. The committee reviewed an 'Aircraft Noise 101' presentation as part of its ongoing efforts to address noise policy concerns related to Sea-Tac Airport.

This January 2018 Port of Seattle Commission briefing provides a quarterly update on the NorthSTAR Program, a joint Port of Seattle and Alaska Airlines effort to renovate and expand the North Satellite terminal at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The project involves growing the facility from 12 to 20 contact gates, modernizing existing infrastructure, and upgrading baggage handling systems, with construction on schedule and approximately $98.3 million spent of a $658.3 million budget. Key completed milestones include FAA-approved crane operations, structural steel erection, and installation of rainwater harvest tanks, while ongoing work includes chilled water piping replacement and escalator upgrades.