TagWASP(26)

The Washington Aviation System Plan is a Long-Term Air Transportation Study published in July 2009 by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT Aviation), partially funded by an FAA planning grant and Washington State grants. It was developed in collaboration with a consulting team including SH&E, WHPacific, URS Corp., PRR, and Cambridge Systematics, with input from airport sponsors and a Technical Advisory Committee. The plan examines Washington State's aviation system needs and future development, though its contents do not represent official FAA policy or commitments to specific development projects.

Washington State operates 138 public-use airports, with Seattle-Tacoma International (Sea-Tac) serving as the primary commercial hub, handling approximately 15 million passengers in 2007 and ranking among the top 20 busiest airports in the nation. The state's aviation system supports over 17 million scheduled passengers and 3.7 million aircraft operations annually, contributing an estimated 171,000 jobs and $18.6 billion in sales output. General aviation is also highly active in Washington, making it the fourth busiest state in the nation for general aviation flight hours.

The Washington Aviation System Plan (2009) outlines the state's strategy for maintaining and improving its 138 public-use airports over the next 25 years, highlighting aviation's critical role in Washington's economy and transportation network. The plan was developed through the Long-Term Air Transportation Study (LATS), a three-phase process authorized in 2005, which assessed existing airport capacity and projected future needs amid challenges such as population growth, limited funding, and land use conflicts. A ten-member Aviation Planning Council was appointed to translate study findings into actionable recommendations for both commercial and general aviation across the state.

Washington State's aviation system serves over 17 million scheduled passengers and 600,000 tons of air cargo annually, with Seattle-Tacoma International Airport among the 20 commercial service airports statewide. The state's population and economy are projected to grow steadily through 2030, driving continued increases in aviation demand across commercial, cargo, and general aviation sectors. Economic growth in Washington is expected to outpace the national average, reinforcing the critical role airports play in jobs, commerce, and quality of life.

The Washington Aviation System Plan identifies four Special Emphasis Regions in the state, with the Puget Sound region — encompassing King, Snohomish, Pierce, and Kitsap Counties — standing out as the busiest aviation area. The region is home to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the state's primary commercial airport, along with 27 other public-use airports serving commercial, general aviation, and seaplane operations. As of 2005, the Puget Sound region housed approximately 55 percent of Washington's total population, driving significant demand for air service and making adequate airport capacity a key economic priority.