TagCommercial Aviation(102)

Airbus A320 family aircraft (A318, A319, A320, A321) manufactured before 2014 produce a distinctive high-pitched whistling noise during descent, caused by airflow passing through Fuel Over Pressure Protector (FOPP) cavities located on each wing. The noise fades once the landing gear is deployed. A small device called a vortex generator, installed just in front of each vent opening, has been identified as an effective fix, reducing noise levels by up to 4 decibels during the approach phase.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's 2014 Competition Plan outlines how the airport manages its 79 gate positions across six concourses, with 65 gates preferentially leased by airlines and 14 controlled as common-use gates by the Port of Seattle. The plan describes policies ensuring fair access for new and existing carriers, prohibiting exclusive gate leases, and setting rates to recover costs without cross-subsidies. It also details gate monitoring procedures and expansion plans for the North Satellite terminal to accommodate growing demand from carriers such as Alaska Airlines and Delta.

Washington State's aviation system serves over 17 million scheduled passengers and 600,000 tons of air cargo annually, with Seattle-Tacoma International Airport among the 20 commercial service airports statewide. The state's population and economy are projected to grow steadily through 2030, driving continued increases in aviation demand across commercial, cargo, and general aviation sectors. Economic growth in Washington is expected to outpace the national average, reinforcing the critical role airports play in jobs, commerce, and quality of life.

This chapter from Washington State's 2009 Aviation System Plan examines commercial aviation trends affecting the state's airports, set against a turbulent national backdrop. U.S. major airlines suffered $27 billion in cumulative operating losses between 2001 and 2005 due to post-9/11 demand drops, soaring fuel costs, and intense competition from low-cost carriers, before returning to profitability in 2006. In response, legacy carriers restructured costs, reduced domestic capacity, and leaned more heavily on regional airline partners, contributing to rising passenger load factors across the industry.

In December 2004, the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) Executive Board adopted Resolution EB-04-01, calling on the State of Washington to take the lead in planning for the region's long-term commercial air transportation capacity, including exploring high-speed rail alternatives. The resolution acknowledged that a third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport was under construction and would be operational by 2008, but that no additional runway was planned beyond that. PSRC committed to cooperating with state agencies, the FAA, and the Port of Seattle to assess future airport capacity needs and coordinate planning with existing regional and statewide transportation plans.