TagStART(502)

A October 2019 Port of Seattle update to the StART committee outlines a new Runway Use Plan agreement, signed by the FAA and Port on September 4, 2019, aimed at reducing late-night noise for nearby residents. The agreement restricts use of the third runway (16R in south flow, 34L in north flow) between midnight and 5:00 a.m., limiting it to safety or efficiency situations only. Prior to the agreement, the third runway averaged more than 10 landings per night during those hours, accounting for roughly 36% of all late-night landings.

The October 23, 2019 StART meeting brought together Port of Seattle officials, local community representatives, and airline members to discuss progress on reducing airport noise around Sea-Tac Airport. Key updates included encouraging results from the Runway Use Agreement, which dramatically cut late-night third-runway operations from an average of ten to fewer than two per night, and a review of the Late-Night Noise Limitation Program showing that 6% of late-night flights exceeded noise thresholds, with cargo carriers FedEx Express and China Airlines Cargo among the worst offenders. The meeting also introduced a new FAA Community Engagement Officer and gathered stakeholder input on the scope of an upcoming Airfield Noise Assessment.

The Port of Seattle responds to questions from the City of Burien about aircraft noise studies, noise abatement procedures, and community mitigation programs at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The Port clarifies that its 2014 Part 150 noise study covered all three runways and actually showed a smaller noise-impacted area due to quieter aircraft technology, and that the upcoming Sustainable Airport Master Plan environmental review will further assess noise impacts. The document also addresses concerns about the pace of sound insulation programs, the transparency of the StART community advisory process, and the legal and regulatory constraints that limit the Port's ability to mandate certain noise reduction measures.

The Port of Seattle responded in October 2019 to detailed questions from the City of Burien about aircraft noise management at Sea-Tac Airport, addressing concerns about noise studies, abatement procedures, sound insulation programs, and community engagement. The Port defended its 2014 Part 150 noise study as covering all three runways and argued that improved aircraft technology has actually reduced the noise-impacted area since the previous study. It also outlined ongoing mitigation efforts, including a Late-Night Noise Limitation Program, over $300 million spent on sound insulation for thousands of homes, and the upcoming Sustainable Airport Master Plan environmental review, which will reassess noise impacts across all runways.

In this October 2019 letter, Port of Seattle Executive Director Stephen Metruck responds to Burien Mayor Jimmy Matta's questions about noise and other impacts from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac). Metruck emphasizes the Port's commitment to working with surrounding communities on economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and quality of life, while noting that detailed responses addressing and correcting certain misperceptions about airport activities are attached. He highlights ongoing collaborative forums such as the StART and Highline Forum as key venues for identifying solutions to community concerns.

The Burien Airport Committee met on October 15, 2019 to discuss the city's relationship with the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), including whether to rejoin the forum under new conditions or establish an alternative. The agenda also covered state and federal legislative priorities related to airport noise and operations, and a proposed meeting request with the EPA Administrator. Draft minutes from a September 17, 2019 joint session with the Des Moines Aviation Advisory Committee were also reviewed for approval.

The Burien Airport Committee met on October 15, 2019 to discuss the city's participation in the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), review legislative priorities related to the airport, and consider a meeting request with the EPA Administrator. The agenda included draft minutes from a September 17, 2019 joint meeting with the Des Moines Aviation Advisory Committee, where members debated conditions for rejoining StART or forming an alternative community forum. Key concerns raised included meeting transparency, equal agenda-setting rights, and greater involvement of elected officials in airport noise and policy discussions.

This October 2019 meeting summary from the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) covers key updates on airport noise reduction efforts, including early results showing a significant drop in late-night flights using the 3rd Runway after a new Runway Use Plan took effect in September 2019. The summary also presents third-quarter data from the Late Night Noise Limitation Program, highlighting that cargo carriers such as EVA Airlines, FedEx Express, and China Airlines Cargo accounted for the majority of noise threshold exceedances. Additionally, an analysis of Noise Abatement Departure Profiles recommended that airlines use the Distant departure profile (NADP2) to reduce noise exposure for the greatest number of nearby residents.