TUMWATER, Wash. — The state resumed the task of trying to solve overcrowding issues at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA Airport) on Thursday, July 11 in Tumwater.
The new Commercial Aviation Work Group met for the first time, marking what is expected to be a years-long process in looking for solutions at SEA Airport, as well as other possible sites for a new airport.
Thurston County residents who fought the process last time were in attendance as well.
"We are watching," said Thurston County resident Dylan Orion during the work group's public comment period. "We're not fools. We will fight this process until it becomes fair and inclusive and commits to never developing a new international airport anywhere in western Washington."
SEA Airport won't be able to handle the region's growing population by 2050, according to researchers.
A state committee was previously tasked with researching and identifying potential sites for a new international airport. However, those efforts were scrapped when Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill to reset the study. The bill signing followed intense pushback from residents who lived near the Greenfields identified as potential airport sites.
In May of 2023, Inslee said the new group needs to fully consider expanding already existing airports throughout the state, before considering building a new one.
The lead planner for the former committee, Robert Hodgman, said around the time of the bill signing that analysis was already done for expanding existing airports in western Washington and was ruled out, with the exception of Paine Field in Everett. He said at the time SEA Airport is projected to reach its capacity in 2032, which will impact smaller flights.
“Many of the communities in central and eastern Washington are at great risk of losing air service all together. This is a big problem, there’s a lot at stake here,” Hodgman said at the time.
On July 11 during the new group's first meeting, Washington State Department of Transportation Aviation Director Ann Richart expressed optimism.
"I think we can solve this problem by using all of those assets which are who we are as Washingtonians to find a solution to this problem that's actually a win-win for everybody," she said.
The work group holds its next meeting in October. It is expected to file annual reports with the state, beginning in December.
Watch: Inslee signs bill to reset airport study