TagSea-Tac Airport(2026)

A Port of Seattle publication about construction progress at Sea-Tac Airport

The Winter 2010 edition of Air Mail, published by the Port of Seattle, announces the first community workshop for a new FAA Part 150 Noise and Land-Use Compatibility Study at Sea-Tac Airport, scheduled for February 24, 2010, at Mount Rainier High School in Des Moines. The study aims to assess existing and future noise levels, evaluate mitigation options—with a major focus on the third runway's community impacts—and recommend noise reduction programs funded by federal money. The newsletter also covers the opening of Sound Transit's Link light rail to the airport, completed wetlands restoration projects, and a student internship program.

This 2009 report summarizes air quality monitoring studies conducted near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport between 1996 and 2002, following concerns raised during the airport's expansion planning. Measurements of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, and air toxics were taken at multiple sites around the airport, and none of the pollutants exceeded federal air quality standards. While some elevated levels of metals like chromium were detected at the Sea-Tac monitoring site, overall cancer risk from air toxics was lower than the regional average for the Seattle area.

This 2009 report summarizes air quality monitoring conducted near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport between 1996 and 2002, covering carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, and air toxics. Monitoring found that levels of all measured pollutants remained below federal National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), though chromium concentrations at the Sea-Tac North site exceeded EPA's lifetime risk-based threshold. The studies were prompted by a Memorandum of Agreement among the Port of Seattle, FAA, and environmental agencies following an Environmental Impact Statement for proposed airport expansion.

This 2009 Washington Aviation System Plan chapter presents long-term forecasts of passenger traffic at Washington State airports through 2030, with Sea-Tac projected to grow from roughly 14.6 million to 26.6 million enplanements—an 82% increase. Sea-Tac is expected to continue dominating statewide air travel, accounting for 85% of all passenger enplanements in 2030. The forecasts were developed to help the state and FAA identify future capacity constraints and plan necessary airport infrastructure improvements.

A 2009 Washington State aviation planning study assessed which existing airports could absorb overflow demand from airports projected to hit capacity limits by 2030, with Sea-Tac International among those forecast to exceed both airfield operations and passenger terminal capacity. The analysis evaluated potential alternate airports within roughly 60 miles of Sea-Tac based on factors such as available capacity, runway length, and highway access, while noting that free-market decisions by airlines and passengers would ultimately determine how traffic is distributed. The study was intended as a first-level screening, with more detailed environmental and operational analyses expected before any formal relief airport designations could be made.