TagCapacity(26)

Presentation by Kaplan Kirsch for the Commercial Aviation Work Group (CAWG), dated September 3, 2026, examining whether Puget Sound commercial airports could operate as a unified airport system. Covers airport capacity versus demand, Washington State’s 17 busiest commercial airports by 2025 enplaned passengers (epax), including Sea-Tac Airport (SEA, 26.317M), Spokane International (GEG, 2.114M), Tri-Cities (PSC),

Meeting agenda for the Commercial Aviation Work Group (CAWG) hybrid meeting held at Centralia College’s TransAlta Commons. The agenda covers discussions on the capacity gap including PSRC and state reports, YVR and PDX impacts, and planned capacity enhancements. Additional topics include annual report considerations, next work plan, and a post-meeting tour of CLS airport for

This technical appendix, prepared by Jeffery Bogen of DAAC in May 2026, analyzes runway and airspace capacity at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to support the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) environmental review process. It compares FAA 2016 baseline hourly flow rates against observed 2024–2026 performance data, documents current capacity improvements, and projects annual flight operations through 2037 under both constrained and unconstrained growth scenarios. The document is intended as supporting reference material for public comments on seating capacity impacts under SEPA/EIS review.

A community advocate near Sea-Tac Airport seeks advice on explaining why building a second regional airport will not reduce flights or noise for local residents, since aviation planners project Sea-Tac will continue operating at full capacity regardless of any new airport. The document confirms this through PSRC and FAA forecasts, and offers practical scripts and analogies to help advocates communicate the difference between regional capacity growth and actual neighborhood relief. It also outlines strategies that can genuinely help affected residents, such as pushing for quieter flight procedures, noise monitoring, and mitigation programs.

A letter from the Regional Commission on Airport Affairs (RCAA) to Senator Skratek urges review of air capacity issues related to Sea-Tac Airport expansion, noting that the expansion could negatively affect many people. The letter encloses a book suggested by Jeff Newell containing executive summaries and charts covering air capacity issues, and requests 30 minutes of the Senator's time before the final Transportation Policy Board vote on March 4. The letter is endorsed by a wide range of community organizations, cities, and advocacy groups opposed to or concerned about Sea-Tac expansion.