• 2020-09-23

    Rising to recovery

    A September 2020 presentation by Port of Seattle Commissioner Ryan Calkins outlines the severe financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Port's operations, including a 75% drop in airport passengers, a 17% decline in seaport cargo activity, and a complete 100% halt in cruise traffic compared to July 2019. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) was projected to handle only around 20 million passengers in 2020, down sharply from a record 51.8 million in 2019. The presentation also provides historical context by comparing the 2020 downturn to previous industry shocks such as the 9/11 attacks and the Great Recession, both of which the airport ultimately recovered from.
  • 2020-09-23

    South King County Fund – Highline Forum presentation, September 23, 2020

    The Port of Seattle's South King County Fund 2020 presentation, delivered at the Highline Forum on September 23, 2020, outlines a grant program distributing $1.5 million to communities near Sea-Tac Airport, including $250,000 each for Economic Development and Environmental Grants, plus $1 million in Economic Recovery Grants. The program was developed through extensive community outreach, including presentations to six cities, feedback sessions at the Highline Forum and StART, and interviews with dozens of leaders from under-represented communities conducted by the Port's Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
  • 2020-09-20

    Regional Aviation Baseline Study

    The Regional Aviation Baseline Study, produced by the Puget Sound Regional Council, examines the current state and future challenges of aviation in the Puget Sound region, covering scenario development, airport analysis, and public engagement. The study highlights near-term disruptions to air travel, noting that passenger volume at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport dropped to just 27% of normal levels during the COVID-19 pandemic, with daily travelers falling to 17,200 and aircraft operations declining from 1,160 to 840 takeoffs and landings per day. The findings provide a foundation for regional planning decisions related to airport capacity, operations, and policy.
  • 2020-07-22

    Highline Forum agenda: Ultra-fine particle studies, StART & noise program updates

    The Highline Forum held its July 22, 2020 meeting virtually via Microsoft Teams, hosted by the City of Federal Way, focusing on ultra-fine particle studies, noise program updates, and StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) developments near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Key presentations included University of Washington air quality research (MOV-UP study), a temporary noise monitors update from the Port of Seattle, and a South King County Fund update. The meeting was conducted remotely due to the Governor's Stay-at-Home Order, with public comments accepted via email or MS Teams.
  • 2020-07-22

    Highline Forum: Making Highline the constant in uncertain times

    Highline College held a community forum on July 22, 2020, addressing COVID-19 impacts, anti-racism efforts, and budget planning under the theme 'Making Highline the Constant in Uncertain Times.' The college serves approximately 16,000 students across programs including English learning, transfer education, career and technical education, and six Bachelor of Applied Science degree programs. Note: this document does not contain content directly related to Sea-Tac Airport noise policy.
  • 2020-07-01

    Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion South King County Fund

    This July 2020 presentation from the Port of Seattle's Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion outlines the South King County Fund, an initiative aimed at supporting economic recovery and community equity in the South King County region. It provides an overview of the office's role within the Port's broader strategic priorities, which span aviation, maritime, and economic development operations. The document reflects the Port's commitment to weaving equity and community investment into all lines of business.
  • 2020-07-01

    Mobile ObserVations of Ultrafine Particles (MOV-UP)

    Researchers at the University of Washington conducted the MOV-UP study to measure ultrafine particle (UFP) pollution around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and the neighborhoods affected by its air traffic. The study aimed to determine how much of the UFP exposure in surrounding communities comes specifically from jet aircraft, which emit extremely tiny particles (under 30 nanometers) along flight paths, versus other sources like diesel vehicles on nearby roads. Findings and community feedback were shared with local governments to inform air quality and noise policy decisions.
  • 2020-06-24

    StART Aviation Noise Working Group – update

    This June 2020 StART Aviation Noise Working Group update outlines Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's near-term action plan to reduce aircraft noise impacts on surrounding communities. Key initiatives include a voluntary Late-Night Noise Limitation Program, a revised Runway Use Program to limit third-runway use at night, and a glideslope adjustment for Runway 34R to reduce approach noise. Additional measures include ground noise analysis, a Noise Abatement Departure Profiles Study, and encouraging airlines to install vortex generators on older A320 aircraft to lessen descent noise.
  • 2020-05-27

    Highline Forum public comments, 5-27-2020, Bernedine Lund

    Federal Way resident Bernedine Lund submitted public comments to the Port of Seattle Commission on May 26-27, 2020, calling for stronger environmental and community health protections in the Port's Century Agenda. She urged the Port to add goals addressing aircraft noise and pollution impacts on local communities, take responsibility for jet fuel emissions rather than limiting green energy claims to airport operations only, and plan for reduced flight numbers by developing proposals for a transportation-communication hub. Lund also suggested the COVID-19 pandemic presented an opportunity to rethink long-term aviation growth targets.
  • 2020-05-27

    Highline Forum agenda: COVID-19 management and planning; South King County Fund, StART & Noise Program updates

    The Highline Forum held its May 27, 2020 meeting virtually via Zoom, hosted by the City of Federal Way, focusing on COVID-19 management and planning alongside updates on the South King County Fund, the StART program, and the Port of Seattle's Noise Program. The April 2020 meeting had been cancelled due to COVID-19, and subsequent 2020 meetings were also shifted to virtual formats. The agenda included presentations by Port of Seattle representatives on noise and airport-related programs affecting South King County communities near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.