TagInternational Arrivals Facility(18)

The Highline Forum held a virtual meeting on January 26, 2022, hosted by the City of Tukwila, covering topics including the opening of the International Arrivals Facility at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, federal infrastructure funding provisions (IIJA) affecting the port and surrounding communities, and an update on the Sustainable Airport Master Plan Round Table (StART). The meeting was conducted via Microsoft Teams with no physical location, and public comments could be submitted by email or through the Teams platform. Six additional forum meetings were scheduled throughout 2022, hosted by various local jurisdictions including Des Moines, Federal Way, Highline College, Highline School District, and SeaTac.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's new International Arrivals Facility (IAF), presented in January 2022, is a major expansion that increases the airport's international capable gates from 12 to 20 and replaces the old 87,000 sq. ft. facility with a spacious 450,000 sq. ft. building. The project also expanded baggage handling from 4 to 7 carousels using a 'Bags First' system, and supported over 10,000 construction jobs. This document provides an overview of the facility's key highlights and improvements to international passenger processing at Sea-Tac Airport.

This March 2021 Capital Improvement Projects update from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) outlines a series of major construction and renovation projects planned across the airport campus. Key projects include the International Arrivals Facility and NorthSTAR program opening in 2021, along with longer-term developments such as the North Main Terminal Renovation (2025), C-1 Building (2027), and South Satellite Renovation (2029). The presentation was delivered at the Highline Forum, a community engagement venue relevant to airport neighbors and noise policy stakeholders.

Delta Air Lines marked its 5-year anniversary of establishing a global hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), highlighting growth from 25 to 53 total destinations, a 129% increase in peak-day departures, and 9% lower fares between June 2014 and June 2019. The airline also expanded its workforce from 2,200 to 3,500 Seattle-based employees and invested in a new 450,000 sq. ft. International Arrivals Facility. This period of rapid growth at Sea-Tac is documented alongside FAA Terminal Area Forecast data projecting continued aviation activity increases through 2045, relevant context for understanding long-term noise impacts at the airport.

In this September 2015 letter, the Port of Seattle and the City of SeaTac reached a mutual agreement regarding the environmental review of Sea-Tac Airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP). The Port committed to conducting a full environmental analysis of all anticipated airport growth — including international passenger traffic — as part of the SAMP review process, addressing the City's concerns about transportation and other impacts. In exchange, the City agreed not to file an appeal on the Final Declaration of Non-Significance issued for the International Arrivals Facility project.