TagCommercial Aviation Work Group(32)

The Commercial Aviation Work Group’s 2025 annual report to the Washington Legislature detailing four meetings held in 2025, membership status, and interim recommendations. The group strongly recommends that the Legislature encourage Sound Transit to locate a Link station near the Paine Field passenger terminal to maximize public investments and minimize climate impacts.

The Commercial Aviation Work Group held a hybrid in-person and virtual meeting on May 22, 2025, at Paine Field Airport in Everett, Washington. The agenda covered updates on a consultant RFP, an introduction of new non-voting members, and a presentation by Paine Field Airport Director Joshua Marcy on the airport's Master Plan. The meeting also included a 30-minute public comment period and time to schedule future 2025 meetings.

Washington State's 2025-2027 Transportation Budget (Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5161) was signed into law on May 20, 2025, authorizing appropriations from various state accounts for transportation-related expenses, capital projects, and employee compensation through June 30, 2027. The bill was passed by the Senate and House on April 27, 2025, with Governor Bob Ferguson approving the measure while vetoing several specific sections. Note: This document covers broad statewide transportation fiscal matters and does not contain provisions specifically addressing Sea-Tac Airport noise policy.

The Washington State Commercial Aviation Work Group submitted its first annual report to the Legislature in November 2024, summarizing early organizational steps taken since its July 2024 launch. The group, created to study airport capacity needs across Washington State over the next 20 years, held only two meetings in 2024 and remained understaffed, with just 13 of 19 required voting positions filled. Notably, Governor Inslee directed that expanding existing airports must be fully considered before any new airport site is selected, with SeaTac explicitly excluded from capacity expansion discussions.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) held the inaugural meeting of its Commercial Aviation Work Group on July 11, 2024, in Tumwater, WA, with both in-person and virtual attendance options. The all-day session covered organizational setup tasks including appointing voting members, developing a group charter, electing a chair, and selecting a consultant. While focused on statewide commercial aviation planning, the work group's activities may have relevance to noise policy discussions affecting airports such as Sea-Tac.

This document presents the agenda and key materials from the final meeting of Washington State's Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission (CACC), covering public engagement efforts, a recap of legislation ESHB 1791, and a commission member survey. The bill, signed by Governor Inslee, created a new Commercial Aviation Work Group (CAWG) to replace the CACC, though several sections were vetoed, including provisions for the CAWG task list, funding transfer, and immediate effect. A survey of commission members showed strong support (13 to 1) for the need for a new greenfield airport site to meet future commercial aviation capacity needs in the region.

Washington State's Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1791, passed in 2023, establishes a new 19-member Commercial Aviation Work Group to study the state's long-term airport capacity needs, replacing the earlier Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission. The bill responds to projections that by 2050, demand for flights in the central Puget Sound region will exceed Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's capacity, and directs the group to explore alternatives—including building or expanding other airports. The legislation acknowledges that any new airport site would carry significant environmental, health, and community impacts requiring decisions from federal, state, and local governments.