TagSea-Tac Airport(2010)

This presentation, delivered on February 25, 2026, introduces the fundamentals of aviation forecasting as part of the airport planning process. It outlines how planners forecast passenger demand, aircraft operations, and automobile traffic, then identify physical, operational, and level-of-service constraints before developing and evaluating alternatives. The material emphasizes that while predicting future demand is inherently uncertain, structured forecasting is a critical first step in guiding airport infrastructure decisions.

The StART Aviation Noise Working Group met in February 2025 to review Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's Late Night Noise Limitation Program, which tracks aircraft noise between midnight and 5 AM and found 8% of operations exceeded thresholds in Q4 2025. The group decided against expanding the program to cover 11 PM–midnight, as most flights in that hour already use quieter aircraft and the change would triple monitored operations with little noise-reduction benefit. Additional updates covered a significant drop in propeller aircraft turns over Burien, progress on the Sound Insulation Program, and action items including a new 5–6 AM operations analysis and a multi-year trends chart.

Multiple Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 jets are shown parked at gates at Sea-Tac Airport, featuring the airline's distinctive dark blue livery with the Alaska Native face logo on the tail fins. Ground support vehicles including an LSG Sky Chefs catering truck are visible on the tarmac, with a departing aircraft visible in the overcast sky. Image credit: Anthony Bolante / PSBJ.

An American Airlines aircraft (displaying the classic 'AA' livery with red, white, and blue striping) is shown on the tarmac, with a United Airlines Boeing 777 visible in the background. Both carriers are major operators at numerous U.S. airports, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.