New Puget Sound Airport Search Down To 2 Options

OLYMPIA, WA — A state commission tasked with finding a suitable location for a second Seattle-area airport delivered its penultimate round of recommendations to the legislature this month, providing two options for moving forward: expanding Paine Field and continuing to explore the construction of a new site in one of three locations.

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport welcomes an estimated 50 million passengers each year and officials expect it will reach capacity soon. Research from the Puget Sound Regional Council expects that number will double by 2050, and officials believe building a second airport would help SEA keep up with rapidly growing demand.

The Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission initially considered 10 undeveloped locations in six counties, along with expanding one of the region's smaller existing airports. Many communities near the proposed "greenfield" sites pushed back on the idea, including Pierce County, where county leaders signed a strongly-worded letter asking to be removed from consideration.

Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier and county council members argued both proposed sites were too rural and did not have the proper infrastructure needed to support a major airport. Despite the objections, both Pierce County sites remained on the commission's shortlist, along with a third in Thurston County.

The other option would see capacity added at Everett's Paine Field, where some domestic flights are already available, which the commission said could help meet projected demand. Commissioners also studied building nothing, which they determined would lead to overcrowding, longer delays and more expensive flights.

Here are the two options the commission submitted this month:

1. Growing Paine Field according to its Airport Master Plan (with potential for additional capacity). - This assumes Seattle-Tacoma Airport executes its Sustainable Airport Master Plan, and includes a recommendation to assist other airports interested in pursuing regional commercial service (distributed air service supported by emerging technology).
2. Continue to develop a greenfield site option with a two-runway configuration. - Pierce County Central, Pierce County East and Thurston County Central were recommended for additional technical analysis and community outreach.

A final recommendation for moving forward with a new regional airport is due in June. Read more about the commission's Phase II recommendations via WSDOT.